- A
Security of the network infrastructure
Why wrong: Physical security is part of the provider's responsibility for the datacenter itself. Network infrastructure security is also a provider responsibility but is not limited to physical security.
- B
Security of physical hardware
The cloud provider is responsible for the physical security of servers, storage, and networking hardware, as well as the datacenter facilities.
- C
Security of customer data
Why wrong: Customer data security is the customer's responsibility, including encryption and access management.
- D
Security of operating systems
Why wrong: Depending on the service model, the customer may be responsible for OS security (IaaS) or the provider (PaaS/SaaS). Physical security is always the provider's responsibility.
Quick Answer
The answer is the cloud provider’s obligation to secure the physical hardware. This is correct because the shared responsibility model divides security duties based on control: the provider manages the physical layer—datacenter buildings, servers, environmental controls like power and cooling, and physical access—while the customer secures everything they deploy on top, such as operating systems, applications, and data. For the Microsoft Azure Fundamentals AZ-900 exam, this concept tests your understanding of the model’s foundational split, often appearing in scenario-based questions where a customer worries about physical security of datacenters. A common trap is confusing physical security with logical security, like encryption or network controls, which remain the customer’s responsibility. Memory tip: think “provider owns the box, customer owns what’s inside the box”—the cloud provider locks the datacenter doors and maintains the hardware, but you guard your patient data within.
AZ-900 Describe cloud concepts Practice Question
This AZ-900 practice question tests your understanding of describe cloud concepts. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.
A hospital stores patient data in the cloud. They are concerned about physical security at the datacenter. Which aspect of the shared responsibility model describes the cloud provider's obligation to secure the physical infrastructure?
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
Security of physical hardware
In the shared responsibility model, the cloud provider is always responsible for the physical security of the datacenter, including the physical hardware, environmental controls (power, cooling), and physical access controls. This is a foundational principle of the model: the provider secures the physical layer, while the customer secures what they deploy on top of it.
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.
- ✗
Security of the network infrastructure
Why it's wrong here
Physical security is part of the provider's responsibility for the datacenter itself. Network infrastructure security is also a provider responsibility but is not limited to physical security.
- ✓
Security of physical hardware
Why this is correct
The cloud provider is responsible for the physical security of servers, storage, and networking hardware, as well as the datacenter facilities.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Security of customer data
Why it's wrong here
Customer data security is the customer's responsibility, including encryption and access management.
- ✗
Security of operating systems
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse 'security of the network infrastructure' (which is partially shared) with 'physical security of the datacenter' (which is solely the provider's responsibility), leading them to incorrectly select Option A.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the shared responsibility model, the provider's physical security obligations are defined by compliance frameworks such as SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001, and FedRAMP, which mandate controls like biometric access, 24/7 surveillance, and tamper-evident server racks. For Azure specifically, the provider manages the physical datacenter per the 'Security of the Physical Infrastructure' pillar, while customers retain responsibility for securing their own virtual machines, applications, and data, even when using managed services like Azure SQL Database.
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 company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
What to study next
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this AZ-900 question test?
Describe cloud concepts — This question tests Describe cloud concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Security of physical hardware — In the shared responsibility model, the cloud provider is always responsible for the physical security of the datacenter, including the physical hardware, environmental controls (power, cooling), and physical access controls. This is a foundational principle of the model: the provider secures the physical layer, while the customer secures what they deploy on top of it.
What should I do if I get this AZ-900 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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
1 more ways this is tested on AZ-900
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A company uses Azure SQL Database (PaaS). According to the shared responsibility model, who is responsible for applying security patches to the underlying operating system that runs the database service?
easy- ✓ A.Microsoft
- B.The customer
- C.Both
- D.Neither
Why A: Microsoft is responsible for applying security patches to the underlying operating system that hosts Azure SQL Database because it is a Platform as a Service (PaaS) offering. In the PaaS shared responsibility model, the cloud provider manages the infrastructure, including the OS, runtime, and network, while the customer is responsible for data and access management. Azure SQL Database abstracts the OS layer entirely, so Microsoft handles all patching and maintenance to ensure security and compliance.
Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This AZ-900 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Microsoft 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 AZ-900 exam.
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