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Cloud Security
Entry Level
What is the shared responsibility model?
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SituationCloud security requires understanding who is responsible for what between provider and customer.
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TaskExplain the shared responsibility model across IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS.
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ActionThe cloud provider secures the infrastructure OF the cloud. The customer secures what they put IN the cloud. IaaS: customer manages OS, apps, data, network controls. PaaS: customer manages apps and data. SaaS: customer manages data and access. The security responsibility shifts based on service model. AWS, Azure, and GCP each publish their own shared responsibility documentation.
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ResultThis is the most commonly asked cloud security question. Misunderstanding shared responsibility is the leading cause of cloud breaches. Showing you know the nuances across service models demonstrates cloud maturity.
💡 Interview Tips
- Use specific examples from your experience — generic answers are immediately detected
- Mention tools, frameworks, and standards by name to demonstrate hands-on knowledge
- Connect your answer to business outcomes — security exists to protect business value
- If you lack direct experience, describe how you would approach the scenario methodically