CCSP Cloud Concepts, Architecture, and Design Practice Question
Which characteristic of cloud computing allows a user to provision computing resources automatically without requiring human interaction with the service provider?
⚠ Common exam trap
Test-takers frequently confuse on-demand self-service with rapid elasticity, since both involve automatic scaling; the key differentiator is that self-service is about provisioning without provider interaction, while elasticity is about scaling capacity to demand.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
On-demand self-service
On-demand self-service is the NIST SP 800-145 characteristic that lets a consumer unilaterally provision computing capabilities, such as server time and network storage, automatically as needed without requiring human interaction with each service provider. This is exactly the ability described in the question. The other characteristics address elasticity, network reachability, and metering, not automated provisioning without provider involvement.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Rapid elasticity
Why it's wrong here
Rapid elasticity scales resources up and down as demand changes, but provisioning without human interaction is on-demand self-service. It tempts because elasticity also involves automatic capacity changes, yet it would be correct only if the question asked about scaling in response to workload.
- ✗
Broad network access
Why it's wrong here
Broad network access describes services reachable over standard network protocols from diverse client devices; it says nothing about provisioning without provider interaction. It is tempting because ubiquitous connectivity underpins cloud delivery, and it would be the answer if the question asked how services are accessed rather than how resources are automatically provisioned.
- ✓
On-demand self-service
Why this is correct
On-demand self-service lets consumers provision capabilities, such as server time and network storage, automatically through a provider's portal or API, with no human interaction on the provider side. This directly satisfies the stem's requirement for automatic provisioning without provider involvement, distinguishing it from broad network access or rapid elasticity.
- ✗
Measured service
Why it's wrong here
Measured service covers metering and billing of consumed resources through metering capabilities, not automatic provisioning. It tempts because metering often accompanies elasticity, but it would be correct only if the question concerned usage tracking, chargeback or pay-per-use billing rather than provisioning without human interaction.
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Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official ISC2 exam blueprint
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.