In the shared responsibility model, who is in charge of upper layer security?

In the shared responsibility model, the customer is in charge of upper layer security. This concept distinguishes between the responsibilities of the cloud service provider and the customer. While the cloud provider is responsible for the security of the cloud infrastructure, customers retain the responsibility for securing the data and applications they deploy within the cloud environment.

Upper layer security refers to protecting aspects such as applications, user data, and identity management, which are primarily managed by the customer. This entails implementing security measures like encryption, access controls, and identity verification to safeguard their data and ensure compliance with regulations. Understanding this division of responsibilities is critical for customers as they design and maintain their security posture while utilizing cloud services.

The role of third-party vendors and compliance officers can vary, but they do not have direct responsibility for upper layer security. Instead, their functions typically support customers in achieving compliance and enhancing security practices, while the ultimate responsibility rests with the customer themselves.