Which artifact may be required as a data source for a compliance audit in a cloud environment?

In the context of a compliance audit in a cloud environment, change management details serve as a critical artifact. This is because change management processes are essential to ensuring that all changes to the cloud environment—be they software updates, configuration changes, or new service deployments—are systematically tracked and controlled. Compliance audits often look for evidence that appropriate protocols are in place to manage these changes in accordance with regulatory requirements and organizational policies.

Having detailed records of change management helps auditors verify that changes were made in a controlled manner, which supports compliance with security standards and regulations. This documentation can demonstrate that necessary risk assessments were conducted, approvals were obtained, and that changes were communicated effectively, all of which are vital for maintaining the integrity and security of a cloud environment.

The other options, while potentially relevant to organizational operations, do not specifically address the requirements of a compliance audit in the same way. Customer SLAs relate more to service agreements than compliance; quarterly revenue projections do not provide insights into security controls; and annual expense reports focus on financials rather than operational compliance processes. Therefore, change management details are particularly pertinent when it comes to the audit's focus on security and regulatory adherence in a cloud setting.