Introduction
The shared responsibility model is a cloud security framework that defines which security tasks are handled by the cloud server provider and which remain the customer’s responsibility. The provider generally secures the underlying cloud infrastructure, while the business protects its data, user accounts, configurations, applications, and other resources it controls.
Moving to the cloud does not mean transferring all security responsibilities to the provider. The exact responsibilities also vary depending on whether a business uses IaaS, PaaS, or SaaS.
In this guide, we’ll explain how the Shared Responsibility Model works, who is responsible for what, how responsibilities differ across cloud service models, and how businesses can reduce security gaps in their cloud environments.
Key Takeaways
- Cloud security is shared between the provider and the business, with each responsible for different parts of the environment.
- Security responsibilities vary depending on whether the business uses IaaS, PaaS, or SaaS.
- Businesses remain responsible for important areas such as data protection, identity management, MFA, configurations, and endpoint security.
- A cloud responsibility matrix helps clearly assign security tasks, identify gaps, and reduce cloud security risks.
What Is the Shared Responsibility Model?
The Shared Responsibility Model is a framework that divides security responsibilities between a cloud service provider (CSP) and its customer. The provider generally secures the infrastructure it operates, while the customer protects the data, accounts, applications, and configurations it controls. This approach forms the foundation of the shared responsibility model for cloud security.
The cloud shared responsibility model is often explained through two simple concepts: security of the cloud and security in the cloud. Understanding this difference helps businesses identify which security tasks belong to their cloud provider and which they need to manage themselves.
What Does “Security of the Cloud” Mean?
“Security of the cloud” refers to the infrastructure managed by the cloud provider. Depending on the service, this can include:
- Physical data centers
- Servers and hardware
- Physical networking
- Data center security
- Underlying cloud infrastructure
- Virtualization technology
- Provider-managed platform components
For example, a business using a public cloud service typically does not manage the physical servers or facilities where its cloud resources operate. Those responsibilities generally belong to the provider.
What Does “Security in the Cloud” Mean?
“Security in the cloud” covers the resources and settings controlled by the customer. Depending on the service model, this may include:
- Business data
- User accounts and permissions
- Identity and access management
- Cloud configurations
- Applications
- Operating systems
- Security policies
- Devices accessing cloud resources
The important point is that the cloud computing shared responsibility model is not a universal checklist. Responsibilities can change based on the cloud provider, service model, configuration, deployment environment, and customer agreement.
That is why businesses should review the provider’s specific security documentation instead of assuming that every cloud service follows the same responsibility split.
Why Does the Shared Responsibility Model Matter for Businesses?
The Shared Responsibility Model matters because unclear security responsibilities can leave gaps in a cloud environment. IBM’s 2025 report found that cloud breaches cost an average of $4.75 million, with a 17.7% premium over on-premises breaches. Clear ownership helps businesses reduce these risks and focus on the security controls they manage.
It helps organizations:
- Clarify security responsibilities: Teams know which controls belong to the provider and which belong to the business.
- Reduce configuration mistakes: Businesses can identify and review settings they are responsible for managing.
- Protect sensitive data: Clear ownership makes it easier to establish appropriate access, encryption, backup, and data protection controls.
- Support compliance: Teams can identify the security controls and documentation they need to meet applicable requirements.
- Improve incident response: When responsibilities are documented, teams can respond faster when a security issue occurs.
- Plan cloud migrations: Businesses can determine which responsibilities move to the provider and which remain with internal IT.
- Allocate IT resources effectively: Teams can focus their time and budget on the security controls they actually manage.
For example, a cloud provider may secure the servers running a business application, but the business may still be responsible for employee accounts, permissions, MFA, application settings, and data. A cloud responsibility matrix can document these ownership boundaries and help prevent tasks from being overlooked.
Who Is Responsible for Cloud Security?
Both the cloud provider and the customer have security responsibilities, but they protect different parts of the environment. The provider generally secures the underlying infrastructure, while the customer protects the resources, data, identities, and configurations it controls.
What Is the Cloud Provider Responsible For?
The provider generally manages:
- Physical data centers and servers
- Hardware and core networking
- Data center security
- Virtualization and underlying infrastructure
- Provider-managed platform services
What Is the Customer Responsible For?
Businesses are generally responsible for securing the resources and services they control. Depending on the cloud service, this can include:
- Business data
- User accounts and permissions
- Identity and access management
- MFA and authentication
- Cloud configurations
- Applications and operating systems
- Endpoint security
- Data protection and security policies
- Applicable compliance requirements
Is Cloud Security Entirely the Provider’s Responsibility?
No. Using a secure cloud provider does not remove the customer’s security responsibilities. A business can still create risks through weak authentication, excessive permissions, misconfigured resources, or unsecured devices.
The cloud shared responsibility model helps define these boundaries. A cloud responsibility matrix can further document who owns each security task and help prevent important controls from being overlooked.
How Does the Shared Responsibility Model Change With IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS?
The Shared Responsibility Model changes depending on the cloud service a business uses. In general, the provider manages more security responsibilities as you move from IaaS to PaaS and then SaaS, while the customer remains responsible for its data and access.
How Does Shared Responsibility Work in IaaS?
With Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), customers have more control and therefore more security responsibilities. For example, with a virtual machine, the provider manages the physical infrastructure and virtualization, while the customer typically manages the operating system, applications, data, access, and security configurations.
How Does Shared Responsibility Work in PaaS?
With Platform as a Service (PaaS), the provider manages more of the underlying platform. The customer still needs to secure its data, users, applications, access controls, and configurations.
How Does Shared Responsibility Work in SaaS?
With Software as a Service (SaaS), the provider manages most of the application infrastructure. However, the customer still controls important areas such as user accounts, permissions, MFA, data, sharing settings, and employee devices.
IaaS vs. PaaS vs. SaaS: Who Is Responsible for What?
Responsibility | IaaS | PaaS | SaaS |
Physical infrastructure | Provider | Provider | Provider |
Operating system | Customer | Provider | Provider |
Applications | Customer | Customer | Provider |
Data | Customer | Customer | Customer |
Identity & access | Customer | Customer | Customer |
Configuration | Customer | Customer | Customer |
Endpoint security | Customer | Customer | Customer |
This cloud computing shared responsibility model is a general guide. The exact security boundary can vary by provider and service, so businesses should always review the provider’s specific responsibility documentation.
What Security Responsibilities Does a Business Still Own?
Even when a cloud provider manages the underlying infrastructure, businesses still control several important security areas. These responsibilities are central to effective shared responsibility model cloud security and should not be overlooked.
1):- Identity and Access Management
Businesses must control who can access cloud resources and what they can do. Thales reports that 82% of cloud breaches stem from credential failures, making strong identity controls essential.
Key practices include:
- MFA: Add another layer of authentication.
- Least privilege: Give users only the access they need.
- Role-based access: Assign permissions based on job responsibilities.
- Privileged account reviews: Regularly review administrator access.
- Access reviews: Remove inactive accounts and unnecessary permissions.
2):- Data Protection
The business remains responsible for protecting its data and controlling how it is accessed and shared. This can include:
- Data classification
- Encryption
- Backups
- Retention policies
- Secure file sharing
- Data loss prevention
3):- Cloud Configuration
Secure configuration is another important customer responsibility. Businesses should regularly review:
- Storage permissions
- Network rules
- Security settings
- Public access controls
- Logging
A misconfigured cloud resource can create security exposure even when the provider’s infrastructure is properly protected.
4):- Endpoint Security
Employees often access cloud services from laptops, smartphones, and other devices. Businesses therefore need to protect:
- Company laptops
- Mobile devices
- Remote devices
- Local networks
- Endpoint security software
Regular patching and device monitoring help reduce risks. Managed IT services support can support these ongoing security tasks.
5):- Compliance
Businesses must also manage their own compliance obligations. This can involve:
- Internal security policies
- Regulatory requirements
- Data handling
- Access controls
- Audit documentation
What Are the Most Common Shared Responsibility Model Mistakes?
Many cloud security issues happen because businesses misunderstand what they are responsible for. Gartner projects that 99% of cloud security failures through 2026 will be the customer’s fault, highlighting the importance of customer-managed security controls.
Cloud providers secure the infrastructure they manage, but businesses must protect the data, accounts, configurations, and resources they control under the Shared Responsibility Model.
1):- Assuming the Cloud Provider Secures Everything
A cloud provider protects the infrastructure and services it manages, but that does not automatically secure customer accounts, data, or configurations. Businesses still need to manage their own security controls.
2):- Misconfiguring Cloud Resources
Incorrect settings can expose cloud resources unnecessarily. Common examples include:
- Publicly accessible storage
- Excessive permissions
- Weak firewall rules
- Poorly configured security groups
Regular configuration reviews can help identify these issues.
3):- Giving Employees Too Much Access
Employees should receive only the access they need to perform their jobs. Applying least privilege reduces the potential impact of a compromised account.
4):- Ignoring Multi-Factor Authentication
Stolen credentials can put cloud accounts at risk. MFA adds another verification layer and should be enabled for administrative and other sensitive accounts.
5):- Forgetting About Endpoint Security
A secure cloud platform cannot fully protect an account accessed through a compromised laptop or mobile device. Endpoint protection, patching, and device management remain important.
6):- Assuming Cloud Compliance Is Automatic
Using a compliant cloud provider does not automatically make a customer’s environment compliant. Businesses still need to configure services properly, control access, protect data, and maintain required documentation.
7):- Not Defining Who Owns Each Security Task
When responsibilities are unclear, important controls can be missed. A cloud responsibility matrix can document which tasks belong to the provider, internal IT team, or another security partner.
Clear ownership is one of the simplest ways to make the cloud shared responsibility model practical rather than just a theoretical security concept.
How Does the Shared Responsibility Model Affect Compliance?
The Shared Responsibility Model affects compliance because securing the cloud infrastructure does not automatically make a customer’s environment compliant. The provider may maintain certifications and security controls for its platform, but the business is still responsible for how it configures and uses those services.
Businesses may need to manage requirements related to:
- Data protection: How sensitive information is stored, accessed, and shared.
- Access management: Which users can access regulated or sensitive data.
- Data location: Where information is stored and processed.
- Audit trails: Keeping appropriate records of system and user activity.
- Security policies: Maintaining internal procedures for protecting data and systems.
- Documentation: Demonstrating that required security controls are in place.
For example, a business may use a cloud platform that supports HIPAA or GDPR-related requirements, but it still needs to configure user access, protect sensitive data, and follow the controls that apply to its operations.
This is where a responsibility matrix in cyber security can help. By documenting which compliance and security controls belong to the provider and which belong to the business, IT teams can identify gaps and prepare more effectively for audits.
What Happens When a Business Ignores Its Cloud Security Responsibilities?
Ignoring customer-side responsibilities can create security gaps even when the underlying cloud infrastructure is well protected. Weak access controls, exposed data, or poor configurations can increase the risk of incidents and business disruption.
Potential consequences include:
- Unauthorized access: Attackers may gain access through stolen credentials or excessive permissions.
- Data exposure: Misconfigured storage or sharing settings can expose sensitive information.
- Account compromise: Weak authentication can make cloud accounts easier to take over.
- Malware or ransomware: Compromised accounts or endpoints can provide attackers with access to business resources.
- Operational disruption: Security incidents can interrupt applications, communication, or critical business processes.
- Compliance issues: Poor security controls can make it harder to meet regulatory or contractual requirements.
- Financial and reputational damage: Recovering from an incident can involve downtime, investigation costs, lost business, and customer concerns.
For example, imagine a New Jersey business storing sensitive files in a cloud platform. The provider secures the storage infrastructure, but an administrator accidentally gives public access to a folder. The infrastructure remains protected, yet the business’s configuration creates a data exposure risk.
This example shows why the cloud shared responsibility model matters. Cloud security depends not only on the provider’s infrastructure but also on how the customer configures, accesses, and manages its cloud environment.
How Does the Shared Responsibility Model Affect Cloud Migration?
The Shared Responsibility Model helps businesses understand which security responsibilities move to the cloud provider and which remain with the organization during a cloud migration. Planning this boundary before migration can prevent security gaps later.
Before moving workloads to the cloud, businesses should:
- Identify current responsibilities: Document who manages servers, applications, data, access, backups, and security today.
- Map the new environment: Determine which responsibilities will shift to the cloud provider.
- Review security controls: Check authentication, permissions, network settings, encryption, and monitoring.
- Update policies: Adjust internal security and access policies for the new cloud environment.
- Train employees: Make sure users understand new access procedures and security requirements.
- Test backup and recovery: Confirm that important systems and data can be restored when needed.
- Monitor the environment: Continue reviewing cloud activity, configurations, and security alerts after migration.
A cloud responsibility matrix can make this process easier by showing who owns each security task before, during, and after migration.
For example, a business moving from an on-premises server to IaaS may no longer manage the physical hardware, but it could still be responsible for the operating system, applications, data, user access, and security configurations.
How Can Businesses Manage Their Side of the Shared Responsibility Model?
Businesses can manage their side of the Shared Responsibility Model by clearly assigning security ownership, reviewing cloud configurations, protecting identities and data, and regularly testing their security and recovery controls.
1):- Create a Cloud Responsibility Matrix
Start by listing the cloud services your business uses and documenting who manages each security responsibility.
A useful matrix should identify:
- Cloud provider
- Service model
- Provider responsibilities
- Customer responsibilities
- Internal IT owners
- Security controls that need regular review
This cloud responsibility matrix gives IT teams a clear reference and reduces the risk of important tasks being overlooked.
2):- Secure Identity and Access
Identity security should be a priority because compromised accounts can provide direct access to cloud resources.
Businesses should:
- Enable MFA
- Apply least-privilege access
- Review privileged accounts
- Remove unnecessary permissions
- Use strong authentication
- Regularly review user access
3):- Review Cloud Configurations
Businesses should regularly check configurations that they control, including:
- Firewall rules
- Storage permissions
- Public access settings
- Security groups
- Logging
- User permissions
Configuration reviews can identify security weaknesses before they become larger problems.
4):- Protect Business Data
Businesses should know what data they store in the cloud and how it is protected. Important controls include:
- Encryption
- Backups
- Data classification
- Retention policies
- Secure sharing
- Access controls
5):- Monitor Cloud Activity
Monitoring helps businesses identify unusual activity and respond to potential threats. Teams should review login activity, privilege changes, security alerts, and other suspicious behavior.
6):- Test Business Continuity and Recovery
Cloud security should also support business continuity. Regularly test backups, recovery procedures, disaster recovery plans, and critical system restoration.
The goal of the shared responsibility model for cloud security is not simply to assign blame. It is to make security ownership clear so businesses know what they need to protect and can respond quickly when something goes wrong.
What Is an AI Shared Responsibility Model?
An AI Shared Responsibility Model applies the same basic cloud security principle to artificial intelligence services: the provider secures the infrastructure and platform it operates, while the customer remains responsible for how the AI service is configured and used.
As businesses adopt generative AI tools, they should consider additional security responsibilities, including:
- Protecting sensitive information: Avoid exposing confidential business or customer data through prompts or AI applications.
- Controlling access: Limit AI tools and connected data to authorized users.
- Reviewing AI inputs: Understand what information employees and applications send to AI systems.
- Securing AI applications: Apply appropriate authentication, permissions, and configuration controls.
- Monitoring AI activity: Watch for unusual usage, unauthorized access, or potential data exposure.
- Managing AI-specific risks: Consider threats such as prompt injection and insecure connections to business data.
The provider may secure the underlying AI infrastructure and hosted platform, but that does not remove the customer’s responsibility for its data, users, configurations, and use of the technology.
As AI becomes part of broader cloud environments, understanding both the shared responsibility model for cloud security and AI-specific responsibilities can help businesses adopt these tools without overlooking important security controls.
Also Read: Top Cloud Computing Trends Businesses Should Watch in 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1):- Is the cloud provider responsible for all security?
Ans:- No. The cloud provider generally secures the infrastructure it operates, while the customer remains responsible for the data, identities, configurations, applications, and other resources it controls. The exact division depends on the service and provider.
Q2):- Who is responsible for data in the cloud?
Ans:- The customer is generally responsible for protecting its data. This includes managing access, permissions, security settings, backups, and other controls required to protect the information.
Q3):- Who is responsible for identity and access management?
Ans:- The customer generally manages its users, permissions, authentication, and MFA. Businesses should regularly review access and remove unnecessary privileges.
Q4):- How can a business identify its cloud security responsibilities?
Ans:- Start by identifying each cloud service and determining whether it is IaaS, PaaS, or SaaS. Then review the provider’s responsibility documentation and create a cloud responsibility matrix showing who owns each security control.
Conclusion
The Shared Responsibility Model clarifies that cloud security is a joint effort. Providers secure the infrastructure they manage, while businesses remain responsible for their data, identities, configurations, applications, and other resources they control.
Understanding these responsibilities helps businesses reduce security gaps, support compliance, and manage cloud environments more effectively.
TechProc is an IT company in New Jersey that helps businesses with cloud solutions, cybersecurity, managed IT services, and business continuity to build and manage secure, reliable IT environments.
