A cloud model is the way cloud services are delivered and managed, including how responsibilities are divided between the provider and the customer. It defines who operates the platform, who patches systems, who monitors availability, and who secures data, identities, and workloads.
This matters in cyber security because the cloud does not remove responsibility; it redistributes it. If teams misunderstand the model, they may leave gaps in logging, access control, backup, or patching. Attackers often exploit those gaps through misconfigurations, exposed services, or overprivileged accounts. Defenders use the cloud model to decide what controls must stay in-house and what must be verified in the provider’s environment.
In practice, choosing a cloud model means asking what is managed, what remains the customer’s duty, and how incidents will be handled. Clear boundaries reduce confusion during audits, investigations, and recovery.