In the domain of the Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP), understanding cloud roles is foundational to the Shared Responsibility Model, which dictates that security duties are split between the provider and the consumer based on the service model (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS). ISO/IEC 17788 formally …In the domain of the Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP), understanding cloud roles is foundational to the Shared Responsibility Model, which dictates that security duties are split between the provider and the consumer based on the service model (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS). ISO/IEC 17788 formally defines these roles to ensure governance and accountability.
The **Cloud Service Customer (CSC)** is the entity consuming services. Regardless of the architecture, the CSC retains ultimate accountability for data governance, legal compliance, and identity management.
The **Cloud Service Provider (CSP)** owns and manages the infrastructure. In IaaS, the CSP secures the physical facility and hypervisor, while the CSC manages the OS and applications. In SaaS, the CSP manages the full stack, shifting most operational security burdens away from the customer.
Beyond these primaries, three specific supporting roles are critical for design:
1. **Cloud Service Broker (CSB):** An intermediary that aggregates, integrates, or customizes services from multiple providers. They simplify complexity and manage business performance for the CSC.
2. **Cloud Auditor:** An independent party that assesses cloud services to verify operations, performance, and security control implementation. They provide critical verification of compliance (e.g., SOC 2, ISO 27001) to establish trust.
3. **Cloud Carrier:** The intermediary providing connectivity and transport of data between CSPs and CSCs (typically telecommunication providers).
Defining these roles clearly in contracts and Service Level Agreements (SLAs) is critical for architecture and design. It prevents 'security voids' where neither party assumes responsibility for a specific control, such as patching or encryption key management, ensuring that risk is properly managed across the cloud ecosystem.
Comprehensive Guide: Cloud Computing Roles and Responsibilities
What is it? Cloud Computing Roles and Responsibilities refer to the formal definitions of the entities involved in a cloud ecosystem and the division of tasks, liabilities, and security obligations between them. In the context of CCSP and cloud architecture, these are standardized (often referenced from ISO/IEC 17789) to ensure clarity. The primary high-level roles are the Cloud Service Customer (CSC), the Cloud Service Provider (CSP), and the Cloud Service Partner (CSN). This concept is inextricably linked to the Shared Responsibility Model, which dictates which security controls each role must manage based on the service model (IaaS, PaaS, or SaaS).
Why is it Important? Understanding roles is critical for three main reasons: 1. Security Governance: Without clear definitions, 'security vacuums' occur where neither the provider nor the customer protects a specific asset. 2. Compliance and Liability: detailed roles determine who is legally liable during a breach. While a provider may handle security, the customer generally retains accountability for the data. 3. Operational Efficiency: It defines who patches the OS, who manages identity access, and who maintains physical data centers.
How it Works: The Core Roles
1. Cloud Service Customer (Consumer): The entity that purchases and uses cloud services. Responsibilities: Data classification, identity and access management (IAM), and ensuring the provider meets compliance requirements. In IaaS, the customer manages the OS and apps; in SaaS, they primarily manage data access and user configuration.
2. Cloud Service Provider (CSP): The entity capable of and responsible for making cloud services available to customers (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP). Responsibilities: Physical security of data centers, hypervisor maintenance, hardware isolation, and network infrastructure. They act as the data processor or custodian.
3. Cloud Service Partner (CSN): A third party that supports the customer or provider. Two vital sub-roles often tested are: a. Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB): An intermediary that provides identity management, policy enforcement, and visibility between the customer and the CSP. b. Cloud Auditor: A party that performs independent assessments of cloud services, information system operations, performance, and security of the cloud implementation.
How it Works: The Shared Responsibility Model This is the mechanism by which roles change based on service type: IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service): The CSP manages hardware and virtualization. The Customer is responsible for the Operating System, patching, applications, and data. PaaS (Platform as a Service): The CSP manages hardware and the OS/Runtime. The Customer is responsible for the applications and data. SaaS (Software as a Service): The CSP manages almost everything (Hardware, OS, Apps). The Customer is responsible for data input, configuration, and IAM (Identity Access Management).
Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Cloud Roles When facing exam questions regarding this topic, use the following strategies:
1. Identify the Service Model First: If a question asks who is responsible for patching the Operating System, you cannot answer until you know if it is IaaS, PaaS, or SaaS. Tip: If the scenario implies IaaS, the Customer patches the OS. If PaaS or SaaS, the Provider patches the OS.
2. 'Accountability' vs. 'Responsibility': This is a major exam trap. The Provider is often responsible for securing the physical server, but the Customer is ultimately accountable for the privacy and security of their data. You cannot outsource accountability (risk ownership).
3. Look for the 'Custodian': If a question asks who acts as the custodian of the data, it is usually the CSP. If it asks who owns the data, it is the Customer.
4. The Broker (CASB) Function: If a scenario describes a company needing to enforce security policies across multiple different cloud providers simultaneously, the answer is usually related to a Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB).
5. Physical Security is Always the CSP: Regardless of the service model (even in IaaS), the Cloud Service Provider is always solely responsible for the physical security of the facility, power, and cooling.