AUGUST19 (a) NIST produced a reference architecture for the cloud.

Explain what concerns this

was designed to alleviate and how it alleviates them.

Ans:

 The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) produced a reference architecture for
the cloud to address common concerns related to the adoption and use of cloud computing. This
reference architecture, known as the NIST Cloud Computing Reference Architecture, provides a
standardized framework that organizations can use to design, deploy, and manage cloud-based
systems in a secure, interoperable, and efficient manner.

 The NIST Cloud Computing Reference Architecture is designed to alleviate several concerns
associated with cloud computing, including:

 Security:

1. One of the main concerns with cloud computing is the security of data and systems
stored and processed in the cloud.
2. The NIST reference architecture includes security considerations throughout its design,
such as the inclusion of security controls, authentication and authorization mechanisms,
and encryption methods.
3. It provides guidance on how to securely design and implement cloud-based systems,
helping organizations mitigate security risks.

 Interoperability:

1. Cloud computing involves the use of multiple cloud services and providers, and
interoperability is a key concern.
2. The NIST reference architecture promotes interoperability by providing a standardized
framework that facilitates the integration and interoperability of different cloud services
and components.
3. It promotes the use of open standards and APIs, enabling seamless interaction between
cloud services from different providers.

 Portability:

1. Vendor lock-in is a common concern in cloud computing, as it may limit the ability to
switch cloud providers or move applications and data between different clouds.
2. The NIST reference architecture addresses portability concerns by promoting the use of
modular and loosely-coupled components, as well as standard interfaces and APIs.
3. This allows organizations to design and implement cloud-based systems in a way that is
not tightly bound to a specific cloud provider, making it easier to migrate to different cloud
environments if needed.
  Performance and Efficiency:

1. Efficient utilization of cloud resources and performance optimization are important

considerations for organizations using cloud computing.
2. The NIST reference architecture provides guidance on how to design and implement
cloud-based systems in a way that optimizes resource usage, improves performance,
and minimizes costs.
3. It includes recommendations on best practices for resource provisioning, workload
management, and performance monitoring, helping organizations achieve better
efficiency in their cloud deployments.

 Governance and Compliance:

1. Organizations need to ensure that their cloud-based systems comply with relevant laws,
regulations, and internal policies.
2. The NIST reference architecture includes governance and compliance considerations,
such as the use of policy-based controls, audit mechanisms, and monitoring capabilities.
3. It helps organizations implement effective governance practices and meet compliance
requirements in their cloud deployments.

 Overall,

1. The NIST Cloud Computing Reference Architecture provides a standardized framework

that addresses key concerns associated with cloud computing, including security,
interoperability, portability, performance, and governance.
2. By following this reference architecture, organizations can design and implement cloud-
based systems in a secure, interoperable, and efficient manner, mitigating risks and
maximizing the benefits of cloud computing.

(b) Illustrate the reference architecture with a diagram. Identify the actors in this diagram and
explain the role each actor has.

Ans:
The key actors in a typical NIST Cloud Computing Reference Architecture and their roles:

 Cloud Service Provider :

1. The Provider is a third-party entity that provides cloud computing resources and services,
such as computing power, storage, and networking, to customers over the internet.
2. The Provider is responsible for managing and maintaining the underlying cloud
infrastructure, including data centers, servers, and networking equipment.

 Cloud Consumer :

1. The Cloud Consumer is an organization or individual that uses cloud computing

resources and services provided by the Cloud Provider.
2. The Cloud Consumer could be an enterprise, a government agency, or an individual
user.
3. The Cloud Consumer utilizes the cloud services to deploy and run their applications,
store and process data, and access various computing resources on demand.

 Cloud Broker :

1. The Cloud Broker acts as an intermediary between the Cloud Consumer and multiple
Cloud Provider.
 2. The Cloud Broker helps Cloud Consumer to discover, select, and contract cloud
services from different Cloud Provider based on their requirements.
3. The Cloud Broker may also provide value-added services such as service aggregation,
integration, and customization.

 Cloud Auditor :

1. The Cloud Auditor is responsible for monitoring and auditing cloud-based systems for
compliance with security, performance, and governance requirements.
2. The Cloud Auditor evaluate the Cloud Provider performance against the Service Level
Agreements (SLAs) and may also verify compliance with relevant regulations, standards,
and policies.

 Cloud Carrier:

1. The Cloud Carrier provides the networking infrastructure that connects the Cloud
Consumer with the Cloud Provider.
2. This may include internet service providers (ISPs), network service providers (NSPs),
and other networking components that enable the transport of data and communications
between the Cloud Consumer and the Cloud Provider.

 Cloud Service Management:

1. The Cloud Service Management manages and monitors the cloud resources provided by
the Cloud Service Provider, such as virtual machines, storage, and networking.
2. The Cloud Service Management is responsible for provisioning, configuring, and
managing cloud resources based on the Cloud Consumer requirements and policies.

 These are some of the key actors in a typical NIST Cloud Computing Reference Architecture. It's
important to note that the actual architecture and actors may vary depending on the specific cloud
computing environment and deployment model being used, such as public, private, hybrid, or
multi-cloud.

(c) Using the reference architecture in part (b), illustrate and explain the interaction a cloud
auditor will have with a cloud consumer and a cloud provider.

Ans:

 Based on the NIST Cloud Computing Reference Architecture, here's an illustration of the
interaction between a Cloud Auditor, Cloud Consumer, and Cloud Provider:
 Cloud Auditor:

1. The Cloud Auditor, as per the NIST reference architecture, is responsible for monitoring
and auditing cloud-based systems to ensure compliance with security, performance, and
governance requirements.
2. The Cloud Auditor interacts with both the Cloud Consumer and the Cloud Provider to
evaluate the performance and compliance of the cloud-based system.

 Cloud Consumer:

1. The Cloud Consumer, which could be an organization or an individual, utilizes cloud

services provided by the Cloud Provider to deploy and run their applications, store and
process data, and access various computing resources.
2. The Cloud Consumer provides access to the cloud-based system to the Cloud Auditor
for conducting audits, which may involve reviewing configuration settings, assessing
security measures, and verifying compliance with policies and regulations.

 Cloud Provider:

1. The Cloud Provider, as a third-party entity, offers cloud computing resources and
services to the Cloud Consumer.
2. The Cloud Provider is responsible for managing and maintaining the underlying cloud
infrastructure, including data centers, servers, and networking equipment.
3. The Cloud Auditor interacts with the Cloud Provider to gather information and
assess(evaluate) the performance and compliance of the cloud-based system, which
may involve reviewing logs, reports, and other relevant documentation.

 The interaction between the Cloud Auditor, Cloud Consumer, and Cloud Provider is crucial
in ensuring that the cloud-based system meets the required security, performance, and
governance standards.
  The Cloud Auditor independently assesses the system, while the Cloud Consumer and Cloud
Provider collaborate by providing access to the cloud-based system and sharing necessary
information for the audit process.

 This interaction helps in maintaining transparency, accountability, and trust in cloud computing
environments.

August20 (b) Using the NIST actor model with the aid of a diagram explain the interaction between
a consumer, broker, and providers. Analyse how cloud applications are developed using this
model.

Ans: Based on the NIST Cloud Computing Reference Architecture, here's an illustration of the interaction
between a Cloud Consumer, Cloud Broker, and Cloud Providers:

 Cloud Consumer:

1. The Cloud Consumer is an organization or an individual that uses cloud computing

resources and services provided by Cloud Providers.
2. The Cloud Consumer interacts with the Cloud Broker to discover, select, and contract
cloud services from different Cloud Providers based on their requirements.

 Cloud Broker:

1. The Cloud Broker acts as an intermediary between the Cloud Consumer and multiple
Cloud Providers.
2. The Cloud Broker helps the Cloud Consumer in discovering and selecting appropriate
cloud services, negotiating contracts, and managing the provisioning and use of cloud
resources.
3. The Cloud Broker interacts with both the Cloud Consumer and Cloud Providers to
facilitate the exchange of information, requests, and service agreements.

 Cloud Providers:
 1. The Cloud Providers are third-party entities that offer cloud computing resources and
services, such as computing power, storage, and networking, to Cloud Consumers.
2. The Cloud Providers are responsible for managing and maintaining the underlying cloud
infrastructure and delivering the requested cloud services to the Cloud Consumers.
3. The Cloud Providers interact with the Cloud Broker to receive requests for services,
provide service offerings, and manage service contracts.

I. Cloud applications are developed in this model by the Cloud Consumer utilizing the
services offered by the Cloud Providers, with the assistance of the Cloud Broker.
II. The Cloud Consumer selects appropriate Cloud Providers through the Cloud Broker,
contracts for the desired cloud services, and then develops and deploys cloud
applications using the cloud resources and services provided by the selected Cloud
Providers.
III. The Cloud Broker helps in managing the interaction between the Cloud Consumer and
Cloud Providers, facilitating the provisioning, monitoring, and management of cloud
resources, and ensuring that the cloud applications are developed and deployed
according to the requirements and policies of the Cloud Consumer.
IV. This model enables the Cloud Consumer to have flexibility, choice, and control over the
development and deployment of cloud applications, while the Cloud Broker helps in
streamlining the process and managing interactions with multiple Cloud Providers.

MAY20 (b) Using the NIST actor model with the aid of a diagram explain the interaction between a
consumer, provider, and carrier. Analyse this diagram and determine if there is a situation that
can cause all SLAs to fail simultaneously.

Ans: Based on the NIST Cloud Computing Reference Architecture, here's an illustration of the interaction
between a Cloud Consumer, Cloud Provider, and Carrier:

 Cloud Consumer:

I. The Cloud Consumer is an organization or an individual that uses cloud computing

resources and services provided by Cloud Providers.
 II. The Cloud Consumer interacts directly with the Cloud Provider to request and utilize
cloud services based on their requirements.

 Cloud Provider:

I. The Cloud Provider is a third-party entity that offers cloud computing resources and
services, such as computing power, storage, and networking, to Cloud Consumers.
II. The Cloud Provider is responsible for managing and maintaining the underlying cloud
infrastructure and delivering the requested cloud services to the Cloud Consumers.
III. The Cloud Provider interacts directly with the Cloud Consumer to receive requests for
services, provide service offerings, and manage service contracts.

 Carrier:

I. The Carrier is a third-party entity that provides network connectivity and communication
services to connect the Cloud Consumer and Cloud Provider.
II. The Carrier is responsible for establishing and maintaining the network connections and
communication links between the Cloud Consumer and Cloud Provider, ensuring the
reliable and efficient transmission of data and information.

 Now, regarding the question of whether there is a situation that can cause all Service Level
Agreements (SLAs) to fail simultaneously, it is possible.
 In the depicted architecture, if the Carrier experiences a widespread network outage or a major
communication failure, it could disrupt the network connectivity between the Cloud Consumer and
Cloud Provider.
 This could result in the failure of all SLAs simultaneously, as the Cloud Consumer would be
unable to access the cloud services provided by the Cloud Provider, leading to a violation of
SLAs related to service availability, performance, and reliability.
 Such a situation could arise due to various reasons, such as natural disasters, technical failures,
or cyber-attacks that affect the Carrier's network infrastructure.
 Therefore, it is important for Cloud Consumers and Cloud Providers to consider the resilience and
redundancy of the Carrier's network connectivity when establishing SLAs and designing their
cloud architectures, to minimize the risk of simultaneous SLA failures.

May:21 (b):With the aid of a NIST actor diagram determine and explain as situation between a
cloud consumer, carrier and provider that will cause all SLAs to fail simultaneously.

Ans: Based on the NIST Cloud Computing Reference Architecture, here's an example of a situation that
could cause all Service Level Agreements (SLAs) to fail simultaneously between a Cloud Consumer,
Carrier, and Cloud Provider:
  In this scenario,

1. ‘suppose the Carrier experiences a catastrophic failure or a severe disruption in its network
infrastructure.
2. This could be due to a natural disaster, a major cyber-attack, or a critical hardware failure that
affects the entire network.
3. As a result, the network connectivity between the Cloud Consumer and Cloud Provider is
completely lost, and all communication and data transmission between them come to a halt.
4. This would cause all SLAs related to service availability, performance, and reliability to fail
simultaneously, as the Cloud Consumer would not be able to access the cloud services provided
by the Cloud Provider.
5. The failure of the Carrier's network could impact all cloud services and applications running on
the Cloud Provider's infrastructure, leading to a widespread disruption of services and violation of
SLAs.

 It's important to note that such a situation is rare but theoretically possible:
1. To mitigate the risk of simultaneous SLA failures, Cloud Consumers and Cloud Providers
should consider implementing redundancy, backup, and failover mechanisms, including
multiple Carrier connections or diverse network paths, to ensure resilience and
availability of their cloud services.
2. Additionally, establishing comprehensive SLAs with appropriate clauses for force
majeure events or unexpected disruptions can help manage the impact of such situations
on the SLA performance.
3. Regular monitoring, testing, and contingency planning should also be part of the overall
cloud service management strategy to minimize the risk of simultaneous SLA failures.

August21 (b) Illustrate with the aid of a diagram the interaction between a cloud consumer, auditor
and provider. Explain the reasoning behind the structure and Analyse two situations where such a
structure can occur.

Ans: Based on the NIST Cloud Computing Reference Architecture, here's an example of the interaction
between a Cloud Consumer, Auditor, and Cloud Provider:
  In this diagram, the Cloud Consumer interacts with the Cloud Provider to access cloud services,
while the Auditor monitors and audits the cloud services provided by the Cloud Provider to
ensure compliance with agreed-upon Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and regulatory
requirements.

 The reasoning behind this structure is that the Cloud Consumer may require an independent
assessment of the Cloud Provider's performance, security, and compliance with SLAs and
regulatory standards.

 The Auditor plays the role of an independent third party that assesses the Cloud Provider's
operations, processes, and controls to validate the compliance with agreed-upon SLAs and
regulatory requirements.

 The Cloud Consumer relies on the Auditor's findings and reports to ensure that the Cloud
Provider is meeting its contractual obligations and providing the expected level of service.

Two situations where this structure can occur are:

 Compliance Audit:

1. In regulated industries such as healthcare, finance, or government, Cloud Consumers

may be required to ensure that their cloud services provider complies with specific
industry regulations, standards, or guidelines.
2. The Auditor performs regular audits to validate the Cloud Provider's compliance with
these requirements and provides reports to the Cloud Consumer.

 Performance Audit:
 1. Cloud Consumers may engage an Auditor to assess the performance and reliability of
the cloud services provided by the Cloud Provider.
2. This may include monitoring and measuring the performance metrics defined in the
SLAs, such as response time, uptime, and throughput, and comparing them against the
agreed-upon targets.
3. The Auditor provides performance reports and recommendations to the Cloud
Consumer for improving the performance of the cloud services.

In both situations, the Auditor's role is critical in providing an independent assessment of the Cloud
Provider's operations and performance, ensuring transparency, trust, and accountability between the
Cloud Consumer and Cloud Provider.

May22.(a)Certain situations require Cloud Consumers, Auditors, and Providers to interact with each
other. Explain with the aid of a diagram how this interaction works and explain two such situations
that would necessitate such interaction.

Ans:

 Here's a diagram that illustrates the interaction between Cloud Consumers, Auditors, and
Providers:

 In this diagram, the Cloud Consumer interacts with the Cloud Provider to access cloud services,
while the Auditor monitors and audits the cloud services provided by the Cloud Provider to
ensure compliance with agreed-upon Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and regulatory
requirements.
 The Cloud Provider interacts with both the Cloud Consumer and Auditor to provide cloud
services and respond to their queries and requests.

 Two situations that would necessitate this interaction are:

  Compliance Audit:
1. In regulated industries such as healthcare, finance, or government, Cloud Consumers
may be required to ensure that their cloud services provider complies with specific
industry regulations, standards, or guidelines.
2. The Auditor performs regular audits to validate the Cloud Provider's compliance with
these requirements and provides reports to the Cloud Consumer.
3. The Cloud Provider interacts with the Auditor to provide the necessary documentation,
access to systems, and evidence of compliance.

 SLA Dispute Resolution:

1. In case of a dispute over SLAs between the Cloud Consumer and Cloud Provider, the
Auditor may act as an impartial third party to investigate the issue and provide
recommendations for resolving the dispute.
2. The Cloud Provider interacts with the Auditor to provide evidence of compliance with
SLAs, while the Cloud Consumer interacts with the Auditor to provide evidence of non-
compliance.
3. The Auditor evaluates the evidence and provides a report with recommendations for
resolving the dispute.

In both situations,

 The interaction between the Cloud Consumer, Auditor, and Cloud Provider is necessary to
ensure transparency, trust, and accountability in the cloud service delivery.
 The Auditor plays the role of an independent third party that assesses the Cloud Provider's
operations, processes, and controls to validate compliance with agreed-upon SLAs and
regulatory requirements, and provides recommendations for improvement and dispute
resolution.
 The Cloud Consumer relies on the Auditor's findings and reports to ensure that the Cloud
Provider is meeting its contractual obligations and providing the expected level of service.

Aug22.(a) Using the NIST model and a suitable diagram show how a Cloud Consumer without
technical expertise would get a cloud based application developed and provisioned. Explain how
payment for cloud services would work in such a model.

Ans:

 Based on the NIST Cloud Computing Reference Architecture, here's an example of how a Cloud
Consumer without technical expertise would get a cloud-based application developed and
provisioned:
  In this diagram, the Cloud Consumer interacts with a Cloud Broker, who serves as an
intermediary between the Cloud Consumer and the Cloud Provider.
 The Cloud Broker has technical expertise and can assist the Cloud Consumer in developing and
provisioning a cloud-based application.
 The Cloud Provider provides the necessary cloud infrastructure and services to host the
application.
 The process of developing and provisioning a cloud-based application would typically involve
the following steps:

1. Requirements Gathering: The Cloud Consumer communicates their requirements and

specifications for the application to the Cloud Broker.
2. Application Development: The Cloud Broker develops the application according to the Cloud
Consumer's requirements, using cloud-based development tools and resources.
3. Application Testing: The Cloud Broker tests the application to ensure that it meets the Cloud
Consumer's requirements and functions properly.
4. Application Deployment: The Cloud Broker deploys the application on the Cloud Provider's
infrastructure, configuring the necessary cloud services and resources.
5. Application Management: The Cloud Broker provides ongoing management and support for the
application, monitoring its performance and ensuring that it continues to meet the Cloud
Consumer's requirements.

 Payment for cloud services in this model would typically work on a pay-as-you-go or subscription
basis.
 The Cloud Consumer would pay the Cloud Broker for the development, deployment, and
management of the cloud-based application, as well as for the use of the Cloud Provider's
infrastructure and services.
 The Cloud Broker would in turn pay the Cloud Provider for the resources and services used by
the Cloud Consumer.

Overall
 The Cloud Broker plays a critical role in assisting Cloud Consumers without technical expertise in
developing and provisioning cloud-based applications, while the Cloud Provider provides the
necessary cloud infrastructure and services.
 The Cloud Consumer benefits from the ease of use, scalability, and flexibility of cloud
computing, while paying only for the services and