In a cloud system, what does the term shared responsibility refer to?

The term shared responsibility in a cloud system refers to the division of security responsibilities between the cloud service provider and the consumer. In this model, both parties have explicit roles in maintaining security and compliance. The cloud provider is generally responsible for securing the underlying infrastructure, including the physical data centers, servers, networking, and virtualization layer. Meanwhile, consumers are responsible for securing their applications, data, and any configurations they manage on the cloud platform.

This model acknowledges that while the provider offers a secure environment, consumers must also take proactive steps to protect their assets by implementing appropriate measures like access controls, encryption, and compliance protocols. Understanding this division of responsibilities is crucial for ensuring that both parties work together to enhance overall security in the cloud ecosystem.