Which of the following BEST identifies controls addressing risk related to cloud computing?

Which of the following BEST identifies controls addressing risk related to cloud computing?

• A. Data encryption, tenant isolation, controlled change management.
• B. Data encryption, customizing the application template, creating and importing custom widgets.
• C. Selecting an open standards-based technology, data encryption, tenant isolation.
• D. Tenant isolation, controlled change management, creating and importing custom widgets.

Answer: (A)

The selection of controls that effectively address risk related to cloud computing involves considerations that protect data integrity, confidentiality, and availability within a shared environment. Data encryption is crucial as it secures sensitive information both in transit and at rest, safeguarding it from unauthorized access. Tenant isolation further reinforces security by ensuring that the data and activities of one customer are kept separate from those of another, thus minimizing the risk of cross-tenant data breaches. Controlled change management pertains to how changes to the cloud environment are handled, ensuring that updates do not disrupt services or introduce vulnerabilities. The combination of these three elements—data encryption to secure data, tenant isolation to protect against unauthorized access, and controlled change management to maintain stability and security—makes this option the most comprehensive and effective in addressing the specific risks associated with cloud computing. Other options may include some relevant elements but fail to provide the same level of clarity and completeness in terms of risk mitigation strategies. For instance, customizing application templates and creating custom widgets are less directly aligned with core security needs and may not effectively address the fundamental risks tied to data protection and operational integrity in a cloud context. Therefore, option A offers the best identification of the necessary controls for managing risks in cloud computing environments.

The selection of controls that effectively address risk related to cloud computing involves considerations that protect data integrity, confidentiality, and availability within a shared environment. Data encryption is crucial as it secures sensitive information both in transit and at rest, safeguarding it from unauthorized access. Tenant isolation further reinforces security by ensuring that the data and activities of one customer are kept separate from those of another, thus minimizing the risk of cross-tenant data breaches. Controlled change management pertains to how changes to the cloud environment are handled, ensuring that updates do not disrupt services or introduce vulnerabilities.

The combination of these three elements—data encryption to secure data, tenant isolation to protect against unauthorized access, and controlled change management to maintain stability and security—makes this option the most comprehensive and effective in addressing the specific risks associated with cloud computing.

Other options may include some relevant elements but fail to provide the same level of clarity and completeness in terms of risk mitigation strategies. For instance, customizing application templates and creating custom widgets are less directly aligned with core security needs and may not effectively address the fundamental risks tied to data protection and operational integrity in a cloud context. Therefore, option A offers the best identification of the necessary controls for managing risks in cloud computing environments.