Which program is designed by the Cloud Security Alliance to validate a cloud service provider's commitment to security practices?

The program designed by the Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) to validate a cloud service provider's commitment to security practices is the STAR (Security Trust and Risk) program. The STAR program is specifically tailored for cloud security and provides a framework that combines the CIS (Cloud Controls Matrix) with the assurance tier model. It allows cloud service providers to publicly commit to security practices while enabling customers to make informed decisions regarding security risks. The STAR program includes self-assessments and third-party audits, helping organizations to gauge the security effectiveness of cloud services.

In contrast, SOC reports are generally more focused on service organizations in terms of financial and operational controls, rather than being specifically tailored for cloud security. ISO standards pertain to a wide range of processes and management systems across various industries, and while they can address security, they do not focus exclusively on the cloud. CMMC is a cybersecurity model intended for defense contractors to demonstrate compliance with security standards, but it is not exclusive to cloud service providers. Thus, STAR is the most appropriate choice for validating a cloud service provider’s commitment to security practices.