AWS (Amazon Web Services) Certification Practice Exam

In the AWS Shared Responsibility Model, who is responsible for security and compliance?

1. Only AWS

2. Only the customer

3. Both AWS and the customer

4. Third-party providers

The correct answer is: Both AWS and the customer

In the AWS Shared Responsibility Model, both AWS and the customer share the responsibility for security and compliance, which is why this answer is the most accurate. This model defines the division of responsibilities, where AWS is responsible for the security of the cloud infrastructure (the hardware, software, networking, and facilities), while the customer is responsible for securing their own data, applications, and configurations deployed within that infrastructure. This collaborative approach allows customers to leverage AWS's robust security measures and compliance programs while ensuring they take necessary actions to secure their own environments. This shared responsibility is crucial as it enables customers to understand their role in maintaining security and compliance. For instance, if a customer misconfigures a service or fails to implement necessary access controls, it can lead to vulnerabilities, even though the underlying infrastructure is secure. The other options do not accurately reflect the nature of the responsibility in the AWS environment. Claiming that only AWS or only the customer is responsible overlooks the vital role each party plays in ensuring overall security. Attributing this responsibility to third-party providers is also misleading because it disregards the direct involvement of AWS and the customer in managing their respective aspects of security and compliance.