Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

Reference architectures are pre-defined templates or blueprints provided by vendors, standardsbodies, or industry alliances (e.g., NIST, CIS, vendor frameworks) that define recommended practices for secure and reliable infrastructure design. They help ensure alignment with compliance, security controls, and industry-recognized configurations.

Relevant Extract from CompTIA CloudNetX CNX-001 Study Guide — under “Architecture Standards and Security Best Practices”:

“Reference architectures guide the implementation of secure, scalable, and compliant infrastructure. They embody industry best practices and reduce misconfiguration risks in cloud and hybrid environments.”

Other options:

B. Licensing agreements pertain to software usage rights, not security alignment.

C. SLAs define service expectations, not design standards.

D. MOUs are informal agreements between parties, not technical or security frameworks.

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