Which model describes cloud services based on who manages what?

Correct answer: The shared responsibility model

Option C is correct because the shared responsibility model defines which security and operational tasks the cloud provider handles and which the customer retains, and this division varies by service type (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS), making it the foundational framework for understanding cloud accountability. Option A is wrong because the deployment model (public, private, hybrid) describes where resources run, not who manages security responsibilities. Option B is wrong because while a security model is a related concept, the specific framework for dividing management duties between provider and customer is formally called the shared responsibility model. Option D is wrong because the pricing model describes how services are charged, which is entirely separate from operational and security accountability.