One of the security challenges of operating in the cloud is that additional controls must be placed on file storage systems because ____________.

Cloud file stores are not always kept in plain text; cloud providers offer and often default to encryption at rest.

Cloud providers offer methods for securely deleting and sanitizing file storage space, though the customer shares responsibility in ensuring its proper use.

Virtualization does not prevent the use of application-based security controls; such controls operate effectively within virtualized environments.

In cloud environments, virtual machines and their associated storage are often managed as files that can be snapshotted or duplicated. These snapshots can contain sensitive data, configurations, and system states, creating a persistent artifact that requires rigorous access controls and encryption to prevent unauthorized exposure, even when the VM is not actively running.