What does the AWS Shared Responsibility Model outline?

The AWS Shared Responsibility Model is a critical framework that outlines how security and compliance responsibilities are divided between Amazon Web Services (AWS) and its customers. This model indicates that while AWS is responsible for the security of the cloud infrastructure itself—such as the hardware, software, networking, and facilities that run AWS Cloud services—customers are responsible for securing the data that they store in AWS, managing their own applications, and configuring security for their instances and services.

Understanding this model is essential for customers using AWS services, as it helps clarify what aspects of their security they must proactively manage, such as IAM configurations, data encryption, and compliance with regulatory requirements. AWS provides tools and guidelines to help customers fulfill their responsibilities, but the customers ultimately control and must ensure the security of their own applications and data on the AWS platform. This clear delineation of responsibility is vital for effective risk management and for establishing a secure cloud environment.