The answer is patching operating systems on virtual machines, along with data classification and encryption management. This is correct because the shared responsibility model delineates security obligations based on control: the cloud provider secures the physical host, network, and hypervisor, while the customer retains responsibility for anything they configure or deploy within the cloud, including guest OS patches, application-level security, and access to their own data. On the Certified Cloud Security Professional CCSP exam, this concept tests your understanding of the “security of the cloud” versus “security in the cloud” distinction—a common trap is assuming the provider handles all patching, but they only patch the underlying infrastructure, not customer-managed VMs. A reliable memory tip is to think of the “customer’s castle”: you build and maintain the walls (OS patches, encryption, data classification) inside the provider’s land.
CCSP Legal, Risk and Compliance Practice Question
This CCSP practice question tests your understanding of legal, risk and compliance. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
Which THREE of the following are typical responsibilities of a cloud customer under the shared responsibility model?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Classifying data and managing data encryption.
Option A is correct because under the shared responsibility model, the cloud customer is responsible for classifying their data and managing encryption (both at rest and in transit) using tools like AWS KMS, Azure Key Vault, or client-side encryption libraries. The provider secures the infrastructure, but the customer controls access to the data itself.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
Classifying data and managing data encryption.
Why this is correct
Data classification and encryption are customer responsibilities.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Physical security of data centers.
Why it's wrong here
Physical security is the responsibility of the CSP.
✓
Managing user identities and access permissions.
Why this is correct
Identity and access management is typically a customer responsibility.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Patching the hypervisor.
Why it's wrong here
The hypervisor is managed by the CSP.
✓
Patching operating systems on virtual machines.
Why this is correct
Customers are responsible for OS-level patching.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
ISC2 often tests the misconception that customers are responsible for patching the hypervisor or physical security, when in fact those are always provider obligations under the shared responsibility model.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In the shared responsibility model, the provider manages the 'security of the cloud' (physical hosts, hypervisors, network infrastructure), while the customer manages 'security in the cloud' (data classification, encryption keys, IAM policies, and OS/application patching). For example, in AWS, the customer uses IAM policies to control user permissions and KMS to manage encryption keys, but AWS handles hypervisor patching and data center access controls. A common real-world scenario is a customer failing to rotate encryption keys, leading to data exposure despite provider-side security.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A developer is choosing between AES-256 (symmetric) and RSA-2048 (asymmetric) for encrypting a large file that will be sent to a partner. Symmetric encryption is fast but requires key exchange; asymmetric is slower but solves the key distribution problem. A hybrid approach — encrypt the file with AES, encrypt the AES key with RSA — is standard. Questions like this test whether you understand when each approach applies.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Legal, Risk and Compliance — This question tests Legal, Risk and Compliance — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Classifying data and managing data encryption. — Option A is correct because under the shared responsibility model, the cloud customer is responsible for classifying their data and managing encryption (both at rest and in transit) using tools like AWS KMS, Azure Key Vault, or client-side encryption libraries. The provider secures the infrastructure, but the customer controls access to the data itself.
What should I do if I get this CCSP question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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This CCSP practice question is part of Courseiva's free ISC2 certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the CCSP exam.
Question Discussion
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