Securing cloud-based services MCQs
Here are 50 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) focused on securing cloud-based services in the context of cloud security. Each question is followed by four possible answers, with the correct answer and an explanation provided.
These questions cover various aspects of securing cloud-based services and the challenges associated with ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data in cloud environments.
1. What is the primary goal of securing cloud-based services?
- Minimizing resource usage
- Enhancing user experience
- Ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data
- Maximizing scalability
The primary goal of securing cloud-based services is to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data.
2. Which cloud service model allows users to run their applications on virtualized servers without managing the underlying infrastructure?
- Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
- Platform as a Service (PaaS)
- Software as a Service (SaaS)
- Function as a Service (FaaS)
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) allows users to run their applications on virtualized servers without managing the underlying infrastructure.
3. What is the purpose of a Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) in securing cloud-based services?
- Ensuring data privacy
- Monitoring and enforcing security policies in cloud services
- Managing cloud infrastructure
- Optimizing cloud resource usage
CASB monitors and enforces security policies in cloud services, ensuring secure access to cloud resources.
4. Which encryption method is commonly used to protect data in transit between a user and a cloud service?
- AES (Advanced Encryption Standard)
- RSA (Rivest-Shamir-Adleman)
- MD5 (Message Digest Algorithm 5)
- SHA-256 (Secure Hash Algorithm 256-bit)
AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) is commonly used to encrypt data in transit in cloud-based services.
5. What is the term for a security measure that involves monitoring and analyzing user activities in a cloud-based environment to detect and respond to suspicious behavior?
- Intrusion Detection System (IDS)
- Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)
- Virtual Private Network (VPN)
- Network Address Translation (NAT)
SIEM involves monitoring and analyzing user activities in a cloud-based environment to detect and respond to suspicious behavior.
6. Which cloud deployment model is suitable for organizations with specific security and compliance requirements, providing dedicated infrastructure for their exclusive use?
- Public cloud
- Private cloud
- Hybrid cloud
- Community cloud
Private cloud deployment provides dedicated infrastructure for the exclusive use of an organization, making it suitable for specific security and compliance requirements.
7. What is the primary purpose of identity and access management (IAM) in securing cloud-based services?
- Managing cloud infrastructure
- Ensuring data privacy
- Authenticating and authorizing users to access cloud resources
- Optimizing cloud resource usage
IAM is used for authenticating and authorizing users to access cloud resources, enhancing security in cloud-based services.
8. Which security challenge is associated with multi-tenancy in cloud-based services?
- Lack of internet connectivity
- Data segregation
- Limited scalability
- Insufficient processing power
Data segregation is a security challenge associated with multi-tenancy in cloud-based services, where multiple users share the same resources.
9. What is the purpose of encryption in securing data stored in a cloud-based service?
- Ensuring data privacy
- Managing cloud infrastructure
- Authenticating users
- Optimizing cloud resource usage
Encryption in cloud-based services ensures data privacy by securing stored data against unauthorized access.
10. What security measure involves creating backups of data to prevent data loss in the event of a security incident or system failure in a cloud-based environment?
- Data mirroring
- Data encryption
- Data redundancy
- Data segregation
Data redundancy involves creating backups of data to prevent data loss in the event of a security incident or system failure in a cloud-based environment.
11. What is the purpose of a Web Application Firewall (WAF) in securing cloud-based services?
- Managing cloud infrastructure
- Protecting against DDoS attacks
- Enforcing security policies for web applications
- Optimizing cloud resource usage
A Web Application Firewall (WAF) in cloud security is used to enforce security policies for web applications and protect against various web-based attacks.
12. What is the term for a security measure that involves monitoring and controlling network traffic between virtual machines within a cloud-based environment?
- Intrusion Detection System (IDS)
- Network Address Translation (NAT)
- Virtual Private Network (VPN)
- Microsegmentation
Microsegmentation involves monitoring and controlling network traffic between virtual machines within a cloud-based environment.
13. What is the purpose of a Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) tool in securing cloud-based services?
- Managing cloud infrastructure
- Ensuring data privacy
- Assessing and maintaining security configurations in the cloud
- Optimizing cloud resource usage
CSPM tools are used for assessing and maintaining security configurations in the cloud, enhancing the security of cloud-based services.
14. What is the term for a security attack where an attacker floods a network or system with traffic to disrupt its normal functioning in a cloud-based environment?
- DDoS attack
- Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attack
- SQL injection
- Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
A Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack involves flooding a network or system with traffic to disrupt its normal functioning in a cloud-based environment.
15. What is the purpose of tokenization in securing cloud-based services?
- Encrypting data at rest
- Authenticating users
- Securing communication channels
- Protecting sensitive data
Tokenization in cloud security involves replacing sensitive data with a token to protect the original data.
16. Which authentication method involves using a combination of something the user knows and something the user possesses in cloud-based services?
- Single Sign-On (SSO)
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
- Biometric authentication
- OAuth authentication
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) involves using a combination of something the user knows (password) and something the user possesses (token, smartphone, etc.) in cloud-based services.
17. What is the primary purpose of a Cloud Security Access Broker (CSAB) in securing cloud-based services?
- Ensuring data privacy
- Managing cloud infrastructure
- Enforcing security policies in cloud services
- Optimizing cloud resource usage
CSAB enforces security policies in cloud services and ensures secure access to cloud resources.
18. What is the term for a cloud security model where resources are allocated dynamically based on demand, allowing for efficient resource utilization?
- Elasticity
- Redundancy
- Scalability
- Virtualization
Elasticity in cloud computing allows resources to be allocated dynamically based on demand, ensuring efficient resource utilization.
19. What is the purpose of Data Loss Prevention (DLP) in securing cloud-based services?
- Managing cloud infrastructure
- Ensuring data privacy
- Monitoring and preventing the unauthorized transmission of sensitive data
- Optimizing cloud resource usage
Data Loss Prevention (DLP) in cloud security involves monitoring and preventing the unauthorized transmission of sensitive data.
20. What is the term for a security measure that separates a network into segments to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data in a cloud-based environment?
- Least privilege principle
- Role-based access control
- Network segmentation
- Identity and Access Management (IAM)
Network segmentation is a security measure that separates a network into segments to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data in a cloud-based environment.
21. Which cloud service model provides a set of controls and best practices for securing information in the cloud?
- Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB)
- Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM)
- Cloud Security Alliance (CSA)
- Cloud Service Level Agreement (SLA)
Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) provides a set of controls and best practices for securing information in the cloud.
22. What is the primary purpose of a Cloud Service Level Agreement (SLA) in securing cloud-based services?
- Managing cloud infrastructure
- Ensuring data privacy
- Defining the terms and conditions of service between a cloud provider and a customer
- Optimizing cloud resource usage
A Cloud Service Level Agreement (SLA) defines the terms and conditions of service between a cloud provider and a customer.
23. What is the term for a security measure that involves authenticating and authorizing users and devices to access cloud resources in a cloud-based environment?
- Least privilege principle
- Role-based access control
- Identity and Access Management (IAM)
- Network segmentation
IAM involves authenticating and authorizing users and devices to access cloud resources in a cloud-based environment.
24. What is the primary purpose of a Cloud Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system in securing cloud-based services?
- Managing cloud infrastructure
- Monitoring and analyzing security events in the cloud
- Enforcing data privacy policies
- Optimizing cloud resource usage
SIEM systems are used for monitoring and analyzing security events in the cloud to detect and respond to security incidents.
25. What is the term for a security measure that involves monitoring and controlling user access to cloud resources based on predefined policies?
- Least privilege principle
- Role-based access control
- Identity and Access Management (IAM)
- Network segmentation
Role-based access control (RBAC) involves monitoring and controlling user access to cloud resources based on predefined policies.
26. What is the primary goal of a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack in the context of cloud-based services?
- Data theft
- Unauthorized access
- Disrupting service availability
- Code injection
The primary goal of a DDoS attack in the context of cloud-based services is to disrupt service availability by overwhelming the targeted system with a flood of traffic.
27. What cloud deployment model involves using both on-premise infrastructure and cloud services to host an organization's applications?
- Public cloud
- Private cloud
- Hybrid cloud
- Community cloud
Hybrid cloud deployment involves using both on-premise infrastructure and cloud services to host an organization's applications.
28. What is the term for a security attack where an attacker tricks a user into revealing sensitive information by pretending to be a trustworthy entity in a cloud-based environment?
- DDoS attack
- Phishing attack
- SQL injection
- Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
A phishing attack involves an attacker tricking a user into revealing sensitive information by pretending to be a trustworthy entity in a cloud-based environment.
29. What is the primary goal of securing cloud-based services against SQL injection attacks?
- Ensuring data privacy
- Preventing unauthorized access
- Disrupting service availability
- Protecting against data redundancy
The primary goal of securing cloud-based services against SQL injection attacks is to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data.
30. What is the term for a security measure that involves encrypting data stored in the cloud to protect it from unauthorized access?
- Data mirroring
- Data encryption
- Data redundancy
- Data segregation
Data encryption in cloud security involves encrypting data stored in the cloud to protect it from unauthorized access.
31. What is the purpose of a Cloud Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system in securing cloud-based services?
- Managing cloud infrastructure
- Monitoring and analyzing security events in the cloud
- Enforcing data privacy policies
- Optimizing cloud resource usage
SIEM systems are used for monitoring and analyzing security events in the cloud to detect and respond to security incidents.
32. What is the term for a security measure that involves monitoring and controlling user access to cloud resources based on predefined policies?
- Least privilege principle
- Role-based access control
- Identity and Access Management (IAM)
- Network segmentation
Role-based access control (RBAC) involves monitoring and controlling user access to cloud resources based on predefined policies.
33. What is the primary goal of a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack in the context of cloud-based services?
- Data theft
- Unauthorized access
- Disrupting service availability
- Code injection
The primary goal of a DDoS attack in the context of cloud-based services is to disrupt service availability by overwhelming the targeted system with a flood of traffic.
34. What cloud deployment model involves using both on-premise infrastructure and cloud services to host an organization's applications?
- Public cloud
- Private cloud
- Hybrid cloud
- Community cloud
Hybrid cloud deployment involves using both on-premise infrastructure and cloud services to host an organization's applications.
35. What is the term for a security attack where an attacker tricks a user into revealing sensitive information by pretending to be a trustworthy entity in a cloud-based environment?
- DDoS attack
- Phishing attack
- SQL injection
- Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
A phishing attack involves an attacker tricking a user into revealing sensitive information by pretending to be a trustworthy entity in a cloud-based environment.
36. What is the primary goal of securing cloud-based services against SQL injection attacks?
- Ensuring data privacy
- Preventing unauthorized access
- Disrupting service availability
- Protecting against data redundancy
The primary goal of securing cloud-based services against SQL injection attacks is to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data.
37. What is the term for a security measure that involves encrypting data stored in the cloud to protect it from unauthorized access?
- Data mirroring
- Data encryption
- Data redundancy
- Data segregation
Data encryption in cloud security involves encrypting data stored in the cloud to protect it from unauthorized access.
38. What is the purpose of a Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) in securing cloud-based services?
- Ensuring data privacy
- Monitoring and enforcing security policies in cloud services
- Managing cloud infrastructure
- Optimizing cloud resource usage
CASB monitors and enforces security policies in cloud services, ensuring secure access to cloud resources.
39. What is the primary purpose of identity and access management (IAM) in securing cloud-based services?
- Managing cloud infrastructure
- Ensuring data privacy
- Authenticating and authorizing users to access cloud resources
- Optimizing cloud resource usage
IAM is used for authenticating and authorizing users to access cloud resources, enhancing security in cloud-based services.
40. Which encryption method is commonly used to protect data in transit between a user and a cloud service?
- AES (Advanced Encryption Standard)
- RSA (Rivest-Shamir-Adleman)
- MD5 (Message Digest Algorithm 5)
- SHA-256 (Secure Hash Algorithm 256-bit)
AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) is commonly used to encrypt data in transit in cloud-based services.
41. What is the purpose of tokenization in securing cloud-based services?
- Encrypting data at rest
- Authenticating users
- Securing communication channels
- Protecting sensitive data
Tokenization in cloud security involves replacing sensitive data with a token to protect the original data.
42. What is the primary purpose of a Cloud Service Level Agreement (SLA) in securing cloud-based services?
- Managing cloud infrastructure
- Ensuring data privacy
- Defining the terms and conditions of service between a cloud provider and a customer
- Optimizing cloud resource usage
A Cloud Service Level Agreement (SLA) defines the terms and conditions of service between a cloud provider and a customer.
43. Which cloud service model allows users to run their applications on virtualized servers without managing the underlying infrastructure?
- Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
- Platform as a Service (PaaS)
- Software as a Service (SaaS)
- Function as a Service (FaaS)
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) allows users to run their applications on virtualized servers without managing the underlying infrastructure.
44. What is the purpose of a Web Application Firewall (WAF) in securing cloud-based services?
- Managing cloud infrastructure
- Protecting against DDoS attacks
- Enforcing security policies for web applications
- Optimizing cloud resource usage
A Web Application Firewall (WAF) in cloud security is used to enforce security policies for web applications and protect against various web-based attacks.
45. What security challenge is associated with multi-tenancy in cloud-based services?
- Lack of internet connectivity
- Data segregation
- Limited scalability
- Insufficient processing power
Data segregation is a security challenge associated with multi-tenancy in cloud-based services, where multiple users share the same resources.
46. What is the purpose of a Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) tool in securing cloud-based services?
- Managing cloud infrastructure
- Ensuring data privacy
- Assessing and maintaining security configurations in the cloud
- Optimizing cloud resource usage
CSPM tools are used for assessing and maintaining security configurations in the cloud, enhancing the security of cloud-based services.
47. What is the term for a security attack where an attacker floods a network or system with traffic to disrupt its normal functioning in a cloud-based environment?
- DDoS attack
- Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attack
- SQL injection
- Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
A Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack involves flooding a network or system with traffic to disrupt its normal functioning in a cloud-based environment.
48. What is the primary purpose of a Cloud Security Access Broker (CSAB) in securing cloud-based services?
- Ensuring data privacy
- Managing cloud infrastructure
- Enforcing security policies in cloud services
- Optimizing cloud resource usage
CSAB enforces security policies in cloud services and ensures secure access to cloud resources.
49. What is the term for a security measure that involves authenticating and authorizing users and devices to access cloud resources in a cloud-based environment?
- Least privilege principle
- Role-based access control
- Identity and Access Management (IAM)
- Network segmentation
IAM involves authenticating and authorizing users and devices to access cloud resources in a cloud-based environment.
50. What is the primary purpose of a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack in the context of cloud-based services?
- Data theft
- Unauthorized access
- Disrupting service availability
- Code injection
The primary goal of a DDoS attack in the context of cloud-based services is to disrupt service availability by overwhelming the targeted system with a flood of traffic.