In the context of the Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) certification, specifically within Domain 1 (Cloud Concepts, Architecture, and Design), "Cloud Computing Activities" refer to the distinct operational behaviors and responsibilities assigned to the roles defined by the ISO/IEC 17789…In the context of the Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) certification, specifically within Domain 1 (Cloud Concepts, Architecture, and Design), "Cloud Computing Activities" refer to the distinct operational behaviors and responsibilities assigned to the roles defined by the ISO/IEC 17789 reference architecture. These activities are central to understanding how different entities interact within a cloud ecosystem and delineate the boundaries of the Shared Responsibility Model.
The primary roles and their associated activities include:
1. **Cloud Service Customer (CSC):** The entity consuming the service. Their activities are categorized into *Business Administration* (managing billing, contracts, and user accounts), *Service Administration* (configuring IAM, security controls, and application settings), and *Service Use* (consuming the actual cloud resources).
2. **Cloud Service Provider (CSP):** The entity offering the service. Their activities focus on *Service Deployment* (provisioning infrastructure), *Service Orchestration* (coordinating resources via software layers), *Service Management* (maintenance, patching, and meeting SLAs), and *Security* (ensuring physical security of data centers, privacy protection, and isolation).
3. **Cloud Service Partner (CSN):** Entities supporting the relationship. Their activities often involve acting as a *Cloud Service Broker* (intermediating, aggregating, or arbitraging services between CSC and CSP), a *Cloud Auditor* (conducting independent assessments of security controls), or a *Cloud Carrier* (providing network connectivity).
For a CCSP candidate, mastering these activities is essential for governance and risk management. It helps determine precisely who is liable for specific security controls. For instance, while a CSP manages the activity of securing the hypervisor, the CSC manages the activity of securing the data stored upon it. This separation is fluid, changing based on service models (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS), but the accountability for data governance ultimately remains with the customer.
Cloud Computing Activities: A CCSP Guide
Why is it Important? In the realm of the Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) curriculum, understanding Cloud Computing Activities is foundational to grasping the Shared Responsibility Model. It is vital because it defines the boundaries of control, liability, and operational duty between the various actors in a cloud ecosystem. Misunderstanding these activities leads to security gaps where one party assumes the other is handling a specific control (such as patching or encryption), resulting in vulnerabilities. Furthermore, these definitions align with international standards like ISO/IEC 17788, which acts as the common lexicon for cloud governance.
What is it? Cloud Computing Activities refer to the specific set of behaviors, tasks, and operational responsibilities performed by the primary roles defined in cloud architecture. According to the ISO/IEC 17788 standard, there are three main roles, each with distinct activities: 1. Cloud Service Customer: The entity that maintains a business relationship for, and uses, cloud services. 2. Cloud Service Provider: The entity making cloud services available. 3. Cloud Service Partner: The entity engaged in support of, or auxiliary to, activities of either the provider or the customer (e.g., auditors, brokers).
How it Works The ecosystem functions through the interaction of these specific activities:
1. Cloud Service Customer Activities: The customer is responsible for the Use and Administration of services. Activities include: - Service Trial and Selection: Evaluating providers based on SLA and security requirements. - Monitor Services: ensuring the provider meets SLA targets. - Business Administration: handling accounting and billing. - Data Governance: Managing encryption keys and identity access management (IAM).
2. Cloud Service Provider Activities: The provider handles the Delivery and Maintenance of services. Activities include: - Service Deployment: Provisioning resources (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS). - Service Orchestration: Managing the arrangement and coordination of automated tasks. - Physical Security: Protecting the data center and hardware. - Security and Privacy Support: Offering capabilities (like firewalls or logging) to the customer.
3. Cloud Service Partner Activities: Partners perform specialized activities to facilitate the ecosystem: - Cloud Broker: Focuses on Service Intermediation (enhancing a service), Service Aggregation (combining services), or Service Arbitrage (choosing services based on flexibility/cost). - Cloud Auditor: Conducts independent assessments of cloud services regarding security controls, privacy performance, and performance. - Cloud Carrier: Provides the transport of cloud services (the telecom/ISP connection).
Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Cloud computing activities When facing exam questions regarding these activities, follow this strategy:
1. Identify the Role: Read the scenario and immediately determine who is performing the action. If the scenario involves "negotiating relationships between multiple providers," the answer is likely related to a Cloud Broker. If the scenario involves "verifying compliance," it is the Cloud Auditor.
2. Distinguish Broker Functions: CCSP questions often test the nuance between broker activities. Remember: - Aggregation: Combining multiple services into one (1+1=1). - Arbitrage: switching providers for better pricing (Deal hunting). - Intermediation: Adding a layer of value, such as Identity Management, on top of an existing service.
3. The Shared Responsibility Trap: Questions will ask about a specific activity (e.g., "Patching the Guest OS"). You must check the service model (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS) to determine if this is a Customer Activity or a Provider Activity. In IaaS, the customer patches the OS; in SaaS, the provider does.