Question

Difficulty: HardCloud Architecture and Deployment Models

An enterprise security architect is establishing operational boundaries across a multi-cloud enterprise ecosystem. Match each cloud security implementation task on the left with the corresponding cloud service model on the right.

  • Configuring execution timeouts, API gateway triggers, and event-driven permissions for stateless microservices without managing any OS or web server.Function as a Service (FaaS) / Serverless
  • Applying security updates to guest operating systems, configuring virtual network firewalls, and managing persistent block storage volumes.Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
  • Enforcing enterprise data loss prevention (DLP) rules and tenant access control via API integrations for a vendor-hosted productivity suite.Software as a Service (SaaS)
  • Managing application source code security, database table permissions, and runtime framework configurations while the underlying OS is patched by the cloud vendor.Platform as a Service (PaaS)

Answer

Task 1 matches Function as a Service (FaaS) / Serverless; Task 2 matches Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS); Task 3 matches Software as a Service (SaaS); Task 4 matches Platform as a Service (PaaS).
Each cloud service model defines a specific division of responsibilities under the Shared Responsibility Model: IaaS delegates OS, virtual network, and storage controls to the customer; PaaS delegates application runtime and database configuration to the customer while automating OS management; SaaS limits customer responsibility to data access and identity management; FaaS abstracts all infrastructure and server runtimes, focusing strictly on stateless event execution.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze Task 1 regarding stateless execution microservices without OS or web server management.
Identified as Function as a Service (FaaS) / Serverless, where infrastructure and OS management are fully abstracted.
Serverless architectures require developers only to upload code functions and define event triggers.
2
Analyze Task 2 regarding guest OS updates, virtual firewalls, and persistent storage management.
Identified as Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS).
Under IaaS shared responsibility, the cloud provider manages physical hardware and hypervisors, whereas the customer manages guest OS, network controls, and storage encryption.
3
Analyze Task 3 regarding tenant access control and DLP integration for vendor-hosted productivity suites.
Identified as Software as a Service (SaaS).
SaaS applications are completely hosted by the cloud provider, leaving the customer only in control of data access, user identities, and data loss prevention configurations.
4
Analyze Task 4 regarding application source code, database table permissions, and runtime framework configurations with provider OS patching.
Identified as Platform as a Service (PaaS).
PaaS abstracts operating system administration while giving the customer control over application deployment, runtime configurations, and backend database schemas.

Key Concept

Cloud Shared Responsibility Model across Service Models (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS, FaaS)
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