SSCP Systems and Application Security Practice Question
An organization uses Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) in the public cloud. Which of the following security responsibilities is the customer responsible for?
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
✓
Operating system security and patch management
In the IaaS shared responsibility model, the cloud provider manages the physical infrastructure, while the customer is responsible for securing the operating system, applications, and data.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Network infrastructure security
Why it's wrong here
The provider secures the underlying network; the customer secures virtual networks and firewalls.
- ✗
Hypervisor security and patching
Why it's wrong here
The hypervisor is managed by the provider; the customer secures the VM's OS.
- ✓
Operating system security and patch management
Why this is correct
In IaaS, the customer manages the OS, including patching and hardening.
- ✗
Physical security of the data center
Why it's wrong here
Physical security is the provider's responsibility in IaaS.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This SSCP 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 SSCP exam.