CompTIA Cloud+ Practice Test

Which cloud service model allows outsourcing of security responsibilities to the service provider?

1. IaaS

2. PaaS

3. SaaS

4. CaaS

The correct answer is: PaaS

The correct choice is PaaS (Platform as a Service). In this cloud service model, the provider is responsible for managing the underlying infrastructure, including servers, storage, network, and the platform itself, which includes the operating system and middleware. This means that users can focus on developing applications without needing to manage aspects such as the security of the platform, as these responsibilities are outsourced to the service provider. PaaS typically includes robust security measures implemented by the provider, such as data encryption, access control, and compliance with regulations. For businesses, this alleviates some of the burden of security management, allowing developers to concentrate on building and deploying applications more efficiently. In contrast, IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) requires users to manage the security of the virtual machines and networks, while SaaS (Software as a Service) provides applications managed by the provider but often involves some level of user-configured settings for security. CaaS (Container as a Service) focuses on container management and doesn't encapsulate the same level of platform management as PaaS. Thus, PaaS truly stands out for its ability to allow users to outsource significant security responsibilities to the service provider.