A college has implemented a private cloud for students and faculty. The college is required by their accrediting body to ensure that the cloud meets certain confidentiality and privacy requirements…

A vulnerability assessment scans for weaknesses without actively exploiting them, making it the least intrusive testing method compared to a penetration test. Assuming the MIS department acts as an independent internal auditor, distinct from the cloud's operational team, it can provide the necessary separation of duties for the assessment.

A penetration test is more intrusive than a vulnerability assessment because it actively attempts to exploit identified vulnerabilities, potentially disrupting services.

A penetration test is more intrusive than a vulnerability assessment, and if the MIS department also manages the cloud, it would lack proper separation of duties.

While a vulnerability assessment is less intrusive and an accredited third party ensures strong separation of duties, an internal, appropriately segregated MIS department performing the assessment might be considered less intrusive overall in terms of organizational and logistical overhead.