Cloud Provider Responsibilities

C.

Regardless of which cloud-hosting model is used, the cloud provider always has sole responsibility for the physical environment.

The correct answer is C. Physical environment.

Regardless of the cloud model used (i.e., Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), or Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)), the cloud provider is solely responsible for the physical environment in which the cloud infrastructure is located.

The physical environment includes the physical security of the data centers, including access control, fire suppression, and environmental controls (such as temperature and humidity). It also includes the physical components of the infrastructure, such as servers, storage devices, and networking equipment.

The cloud provider is responsible for ensuring that the physical environment is secure and that appropriate measures are in place to protect the infrastructure from physical threats, such as natural disasters, power outages, and physical attacks.

However, it is important to note that while the cloud provider is responsible for the physical environment, customers are still responsible for the security of their own data and applications. This includes data encryption, access controls, and other security measures to protect data from unauthorized access or theft.

In summary, while the cloud provider is responsible for the physical environment in which the cloud infrastructure is located, customers must take responsibility for securing their own data and applications.