When a cloud customer uploads PII to a cloud provider, who becomes ultimately responsible for the security of that PII?

The correct answer is that the cloud customer becomes ultimately responsible for the security of the Personally Identifiable Information (PII) they upload to a cloud provider. This responsibility stems from the principle of data ownership, which dictates that the organization that collects or owns the data retains control over its security and compliance obligations, even when the data is stored or processed by a third party, such as a cloud provider.

In the context of data security, the cloud provider is tasked with offering a secure infrastructure and services, but it is the customer's responsibility to ensure that they are using those services securely and in compliance with relevant laws and regulations. This includes implementing appropriate access controls, encryption, and processing practices for the PII. Additionally, the customer must ensure that they have proper agreements in place with the cloud provider to govern data handling and security.

While individuals who are the subjects of the PII have a vested interest in protecting their personal information, they do not have the authority or responsibility to enforce security measures once their data is given to a cloud customer or provider. Regulators may impose guidelines or regulations regarding data security but do not take on responsibility for individual data sets, leaving the onus on the customer to maintain secure management practices.

Ultimately, the accountability for safeguarding