Self-service is one of the five essential characteristics of cloud computing, along with broad network access, resource pooling, rapid elasticity, and measured service1. Self-service enables cloud customers to provision and manage cloud resources without requiring human interaction from the cloud service provider2. Self-service allows cloud customers to have more control, flexibility, and agility over their cloud environment, and to perform various tasks such as building, decommissioning, scaling, monitoring, and configuring cloud resources according to their business needs and preferences3. Self-service is the best cloud characteristic to satisfy the business requirement of migrating mission-critical applications to the cloud, as it would enable technicians to perform routine functions more efficiently and effectively, and to respond to changing demands and situations more quickly and dynamically.

Broad network access is another essential characteristic of cloud computing, which means that cloud resources are available over the network and can be accessed by diverse customer platforms, such as laptops, mobile phones, tablets, etc1. Broad network access is an important feature of cloud computing, as it enables cloud customers to access their cloud resources anytime and anywhere, and to use different devices and methods to interact with the cloud. However, broad network access is not the best cloud characteristic to satisfy the business requirement ofmigrating mission-critical applications to the cloud, as it does not directly relate to the ability of technicians to build, decommission, and perform other routine functions on the cloud resources.

Elasticity is another essential characteristic of cloud computing, which means that cloud resources can be rapidly and dynamically scaled up or down according to the customer’s demand1. Elasticity is a key benefit of cloud computing, as it enables cloud customers to optimize the utilization and performance of their cloud resources, and to pay only for what they use. However, elasticity is not the best cloud characteristic to satisfy the business requirement of migrating mission-critical applications to the cloud, as it does not directly relate to the ability of technicians to build, decommission, and perform other routine functions on the cloud resources.

Availability is not one of the five essential characteristics of cloud computing, but rather a quality attribute or a non-functional requirement of cloud computing. Availability refers to the degree to which a system or service is operational and accessible when required4. Availability is a critical factor for cloud computing, especially for mission-critical applications, as it affects the reliability and continuity of the cloud service. However, availability is not the best cloud characteristic to satisfy the business requirement of migrating mission-critical applications to the cloud, as it does not directly relate to the ability of technicians to build, decommission, and perform other routine functions on the cloud resources. References: CompTIA Cloud Essentials+ CLO-002 Study Guide, Chapter 1: Cloud Computing Concepts, pages 11-15.