Which of the following actors in the NIST cloud deployment reference architecture acts as an intermediary for providing connectivity and transport services between cloud consumers and providers?

The NIST Cloud Computing Reference Architecture (SP 500-292) defines five major actors. The Cloud Carrier is the actor that acts as an intermediary, providing the connectivity and transport infrastructure for cloud services. This entity is responsible for the "wire" or network path that links the services offered by a Cloud Provider to the Cloud Consumer. Examples of cloud carriers include network providers, telecommunications companies, and other internet service providers that offer the underlying network connectivity required to access the cloud environment. Their primary function is the transmission of data, not the creation or consumption of the cloud service itself.

A. Cloud provider: This entity is responsible for making the cloud service available to consumers, not for providing the network transport between them.
B. Cloud auditor: This is a third party that conducts independent assessments of cloud services, focusing on security, performance, and compliance.
C. Cloud consumer: This is the person or organization that uses the cloud services and has a business relationship with the provider.

1. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). (2011). NIST Cloud Computing Reference Architecture (NIST Special Publication 500-292). Section 3.1, "Actors in Cloud Computing," page 13, defines the Cloud Carrier as "The intermediary that provides connectivity and transport of cloud services between Cloud Providers and Cloud Consumers."

2. Mell, P., & Grance, T. (2011). The NIST Definition of Cloud Computing (NIST Special Publication 800-145). This foundational document is referenced by SP 500-292 and establishes the context for the architectural roles. The roles are detailed in the reference architecture.

3. Carnegie Mellon University, School of Computer Science. (2020). 15-319/15-619 Cloud Computing, Lecture 2: Cloud Concepts & Models. Slide 23, "NIST Cloud Computing Reference Model," explicitly lists and describes the five actors, including the Cloud Carrier as the provider of connectivity.