Cloud Security Specialist Exam
Question 1: Which of the following best defines cloud computing?
A) A system that allows on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable resources.
B) A traditional data center model with fixed resources.
C) A local software installation on a single computer.
D) A proprietary hardware system.
Answer: A
Explanation: Cloud computing is defined as a model that provides on‐demand network access to
a shared pool of configurable computing resources, allowing scalability and flexibility.
Question 2: Which characteristic of cloud computing allows rapid scaling of resources
based on demand?
A) Multi-tenancy
B) Elasticity
C) Virtualization
D) Fixed capacity
Answer: B
Explanation: Elasticity refers to the ability to quickly scale resources up or down based on
workload demands.
Question 3: What is a primary difference between public and private cloud models?
A) Public clouds are more expensive than private clouds.
B) Private clouds are exclusively managed for a single organization while public clouds serve
multiple organizations.
C) Public clouds do not use virtualization.
D) Private clouds are always on-premises.
Answer: B
Explanation: Public clouds serve multiple organizations, whereas private clouds are dedicated to
a single organization.
Question 4: Which service model provides the underlying infrastructure but leaves
application management to the customer?
A) SaaS
B) PaaS
C) IaaS
D) DaaS
Answer: C
Explanation: IaaS offers computing resources like virtual machines and storage while customers
manage the operating systems and applications.
Question 5: What is containerization in cloud computing?
A) The use of physical containers for storage.
,B) A lightweight virtualization method that packages an application and its dependencies.
C) A way to manage network traffic.
D) A method of data encryption.
Answer: B
Explanation: Containerization packages an application with its dependencies in an isolated
container, making it lightweight compared to traditional virtual machines.
Question 6: Which of the following is NOT a common cloud deployment model?
A) Community cloud
B) Hybrid cloud
C) Dedicated cloud
D) Public cloud
Answer: C
Explanation: The common deployment models are community, private, public, and hybrid;
dedicated cloud is not recognized as a standard model.
Question 7: In a cloud computing architecture, which component is responsible for
resource pooling?
A) Edge servers
B) Virtualization layer
C) User interface
D) Application software
Answer: B
Explanation: The virtualization layer abstracts and pools physical resources for flexible
allocation to users.
Question 8: What does the shared responsibility model in cloud security imply?
A) The cloud provider is solely responsible for security.
B) The customer is solely responsible for security.
C) Security responsibilities are divided between the provider and the customer.
D) Neither the provider nor the customer is responsible for security.
Answer: C
Explanation: The shared responsibility model means both the cloud provider and the customer
have distinct roles in ensuring security.
Question 9: Which standard is commonly used for cloud security frameworks?
A) PCI DSS
B) ISO/IEC 27001
C) COBIT
D) ITIL
Answer: B
Explanation: ISO/IEC 27001 is widely recognized as a framework for managing information
security in cloud environments.
Question 10: In the context of cloud security, what is data ownership?
A) The physical possession of data by the cloud provider.
,B) The legal rights and responsibilities for the data residing in the cloud.
C) The process of transferring data between clouds.
D) A cloud service feature.
Answer: B
Explanation: Data ownership pertains to the legal rights and responsibilities associated with data
stored in the cloud.
Question 11: Which characteristic of cloud computing allows multiple customers to share
the same physical resources securely?
A) On-demand self-service
B) Multi-tenancy
C) Rapid elasticity
D) Resource pooling
Answer: B
Explanation: Multi-tenancy enables several customers to share physical resources while ensuring
data isolation and security.
Question 12: What is one advantage of the SaaS cloud service model?
A) Customers manage the underlying infrastructure.
B) It eliminates the need for local installations.
C) It provides direct hardware control.
D) It requires manual scalability.
Answer: B
Explanation: SaaS allows users to access software via the internet, removing the need for local
installations or managing hardware.
Question 13: How does virtualization contribute to cloud computing efficiency?
A) It limits the number of available resources.
B) It abstracts physical hardware to create multiple virtual machines.
C) It increases physical hardware dependency.
D) It prevents software updates.
Answer: B
Explanation: Virtualization abstracts hardware resources, enabling multiple virtual machines to
run on one physical server, thereby optimizing resource usage.
Question 14: Which cloud service model abstracts the most management responsibilities to
the provider?
A) IaaS
B) PaaS
C) SaaS
D) DaaS
Answer: C
Explanation: SaaS abstracts nearly all management responsibilities, as the provider handles the
infrastructure, platform, and application layers.
, Question 15: What is elasticity in the context of cloud computing?
A) The ability to provide static resource allocation.
B) The ability to automatically scale resources up or down.
C) The method of encrypting data.
D) The process of virtualization.
Answer: B
Explanation: Elasticity is the capability to dynamically adjust resources in response to changes in
workload.
Question 16: Which deployment model offers cloud services through a community of
organizations with common concerns?
A) Public cloud
B) Private cloud
C) Community cloud
D) Hybrid cloud
Answer: C
Explanation: A community cloud is shared among organizations that have similar security,
compliance, or performance needs.
Question 17: In cloud computing, what is scalability?
A) The ability to maintain constant performance regardless of load.
B) The ability to expand or reduce resources to meet demand.
C) The process of encrypting data.
D) A fixed capacity computing model.
Answer: B
Explanation: Scalability refers to the capability of adjusting resource capacity to efficiently meet
varying workload demands.
Question 18: Which of the following best describes the role of container orchestration in
cloud computing?
A) Managing physical server locations.
B) Automating the deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications.
C) Encrypting container data.
D) Securing physical data centers.
Answer: B
Explanation: Container orchestration automates the lifecycle management of containers, ensuring
efficient deployment and scaling.
Question 19: What is the primary benefit of the cloud service model known as PaaS?
A) It provides hardware resources only.
B) It offers a complete development and deployment environment.
C) It focuses solely on storage solutions.
D) It is a type of desktop software.
Answer: B
Explanation: PaaS provides an environment for developing, testing, and deploying applications
without managing the underlying infrastructure.
Question 1: Which of the following best defines cloud computing?
A) A system that allows on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable resources.
B) A traditional data center model with fixed resources.
C) A local software installation on a single computer.
D) A proprietary hardware system.
Answer: A
Explanation: Cloud computing is defined as a model that provides on‐demand network access to
a shared pool of configurable computing resources, allowing scalability and flexibility.
Question 2: Which characteristic of cloud computing allows rapid scaling of resources
based on demand?
A) Multi-tenancy
B) Elasticity
C) Virtualization
D) Fixed capacity
Answer: B
Explanation: Elasticity refers to the ability to quickly scale resources up or down based on
workload demands.
Question 3: What is a primary difference between public and private cloud models?
A) Public clouds are more expensive than private clouds.
B) Private clouds are exclusively managed for a single organization while public clouds serve
multiple organizations.
C) Public clouds do not use virtualization.
D) Private clouds are always on-premises.
Answer: B
Explanation: Public clouds serve multiple organizations, whereas private clouds are dedicated to
a single organization.
Question 4: Which service model provides the underlying infrastructure but leaves
application management to the customer?
A) SaaS
B) PaaS
C) IaaS
D) DaaS
Answer: C
Explanation: IaaS offers computing resources like virtual machines and storage while customers
manage the operating systems and applications.
Question 5: What is containerization in cloud computing?
A) The use of physical containers for storage.
,B) A lightweight virtualization method that packages an application and its dependencies.
C) A way to manage network traffic.
D) A method of data encryption.
Answer: B
Explanation: Containerization packages an application with its dependencies in an isolated
container, making it lightweight compared to traditional virtual machines.
Question 6: Which of the following is NOT a common cloud deployment model?
A) Community cloud
B) Hybrid cloud
C) Dedicated cloud
D) Public cloud
Answer: C
Explanation: The common deployment models are community, private, public, and hybrid;
dedicated cloud is not recognized as a standard model.
Question 7: In a cloud computing architecture, which component is responsible for
resource pooling?
A) Edge servers
B) Virtualization layer
C) User interface
D) Application software
Answer: B
Explanation: The virtualization layer abstracts and pools physical resources for flexible
allocation to users.
Question 8: What does the shared responsibility model in cloud security imply?
A) The cloud provider is solely responsible for security.
B) The customer is solely responsible for security.
C) Security responsibilities are divided between the provider and the customer.
D) Neither the provider nor the customer is responsible for security.
Answer: C
Explanation: The shared responsibility model means both the cloud provider and the customer
have distinct roles in ensuring security.
Question 9: Which standard is commonly used for cloud security frameworks?
A) PCI DSS
B) ISO/IEC 27001
C) COBIT
D) ITIL
Answer: B
Explanation: ISO/IEC 27001 is widely recognized as a framework for managing information
security in cloud environments.
Question 10: In the context of cloud security, what is data ownership?
A) The physical possession of data by the cloud provider.
,B) The legal rights and responsibilities for the data residing in the cloud.
C) The process of transferring data between clouds.
D) A cloud service feature.
Answer: B
Explanation: Data ownership pertains to the legal rights and responsibilities associated with data
stored in the cloud.
Question 11: Which characteristic of cloud computing allows multiple customers to share
the same physical resources securely?
A) On-demand self-service
B) Multi-tenancy
C) Rapid elasticity
D) Resource pooling
Answer: B
Explanation: Multi-tenancy enables several customers to share physical resources while ensuring
data isolation and security.
Question 12: What is one advantage of the SaaS cloud service model?
A) Customers manage the underlying infrastructure.
B) It eliminates the need for local installations.
C) It provides direct hardware control.
D) It requires manual scalability.
Answer: B
Explanation: SaaS allows users to access software via the internet, removing the need for local
installations or managing hardware.
Question 13: How does virtualization contribute to cloud computing efficiency?
A) It limits the number of available resources.
B) It abstracts physical hardware to create multiple virtual machines.
C) It increases physical hardware dependency.
D) It prevents software updates.
Answer: B
Explanation: Virtualization abstracts hardware resources, enabling multiple virtual machines to
run on one physical server, thereby optimizing resource usage.
Question 14: Which cloud service model abstracts the most management responsibilities to
the provider?
A) IaaS
B) PaaS
C) SaaS
D) DaaS
Answer: C
Explanation: SaaS abstracts nearly all management responsibilities, as the provider handles the
infrastructure, platform, and application layers.
, Question 15: What is elasticity in the context of cloud computing?
A) The ability to provide static resource allocation.
B) The ability to automatically scale resources up or down.
C) The method of encrypting data.
D) The process of virtualization.
Answer: B
Explanation: Elasticity is the capability to dynamically adjust resources in response to changes in
workload.
Question 16: Which deployment model offers cloud services through a community of
organizations with common concerns?
A) Public cloud
B) Private cloud
C) Community cloud
D) Hybrid cloud
Answer: C
Explanation: A community cloud is shared among organizations that have similar security,
compliance, or performance needs.
Question 17: In cloud computing, what is scalability?
A) The ability to maintain constant performance regardless of load.
B) The ability to expand or reduce resources to meet demand.
C) The process of encrypting data.
D) A fixed capacity computing model.
Answer: B
Explanation: Scalability refers to the capability of adjusting resource capacity to efficiently meet
varying workload demands.
Question 18: Which of the following best describes the role of container orchestration in
cloud computing?
A) Managing physical server locations.
B) Automating the deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications.
C) Encrypting container data.
D) Securing physical data centers.
Answer: B
Explanation: Container orchestration automates the lifecycle management of containers, ensuring
efficient deployment and scaling.
Question 19: What is the primary benefit of the cloud service model known as PaaS?
A) It provides hardware resources only.
B) It offers a complete development and deployment environment.
C) It focuses solely on storage solutions.
D) It is a type of desktop software.
Answer: B
Explanation: PaaS provides an environment for developing, testing, and deploying applications
without managing the underlying infrastructure.
