What component is essential for securing cloud resources in a hybrid environment?

Identity and Access Management (IAM) is crucial for securing cloud resources in a hybrid environment as it provides a framework for managing users' access to resources, ensuring that only authorized personnel can perform specific actions. IAM enables organizations to define roles and permissions, facilitating granular control over who can access what data and services, which is essential in a hybrid setup where resources span both on-premises and cloud environments.

IAM also includes features like multi-factor authentication (MFA), provisioning, and auditing, which further strengthen security by verifying identities and tracking access. In contrast, while data encryption is important for protecting data at rest and in transit, it does not manage user access or identities. Similarly, firewall settings are essential for network security, but they primarily govern traffic, not user identities or permissions. Server location, while relevant to compliance and data sovereignty, does not directly contribute to managing access, making IAM the foundational component for security in a hybrid cloud scenario.