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Cloud Provider #

An entity that provides cloud computing services. Providers may offer its services directly to Consumers or do so through a third party, such as an Intermediary Provider or Broker. See also Broker, Intermediary Provider, and Primary Provider.

Source: NIST Cloud Computing Security Reference Architecture

Cloud Consumer #

An organization that uses, or consumes, cloud services. Cloud Consumers are ultimately responsible for ensuring the security and compliance of the cloud services they use.

Source: NIST Cloud Computing Security Reference Architecture

CloudSocket Provider #

Organization installing, executing and managing a CloudSocket instance on a given owned or rented (i.e. cloud-based) infrastructure under its own control.

A CloudSocket Provider is paid by the Customers, and pays the ExternalService Providers.

External Service Provider #

Organization installing, executing and managing a WS Instance on a given infrastructure under its own control. A WSI Provider autonomously defines a SLA for the WSI, is responsible to fulfill such SLA, and is paid according to the WSI usage.