Which of the following actors in the NIST cloud deployment reference architecture acts as an intermediary for providing connectivity and transport services between cloud consumers and providers?

Question

Options

• ACloud provider
• BCloud auditor
• CCloud consumer
• DCloud carrier

• A
  2% (1)
• B
  4% (2)
• D
  93% (43)

Explanation

D is correct because the Cloud Carrier is defined in NIST SP 500-292 as the intermediary that provides the network connectivity and transport infrastructure enabling cloud consumers to access cloud services - think of it as the "pipe" between the two parties (e.g., ISPs, telecom providers, CDNs).

Why the others are wrong:

• A (Cloud Provider) builds and delivers the services - it's a source, not a middleman for connectivity.
• B (Cloud Auditor) is an independent third party that assesses security, performance, and compliance - not involved in data transport.
• C (Cloud Consumer) is the end user or organization that uses the cloud services - the recipient, not an intermediary.

Memory tip: Think of the Cloud Carrier like a phone carrier (Verizon, AT&T) - it doesn't make your app or use it, it just carries the signal between you and the service.

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