TL;DR: In cloud computing, Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS) offer different levels of control and responsibility. IaaS provides virtualized computing resources, leaving the user responsible for the application and network layers. PaaS offers a platform for developing, running, and managing applications, with the user responsible for the application layer. SaaS delivers applications over the internet, with the cloud provider managing the entire stack, and the user responsible for securing application configurations. The shared responsibility model varies depending on the service model, with the cloud provider managing infrastructure and middleware, and the user responsible for the application layer and security.
Key Points:
- Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): Provides virtualized computing resources, with the user managing the application and network layers.
- Platform as a Service (PaaS): Offers a platform for developing, running, and managing applications, with the user responsible for the application layer.
- Software as a Service (SaaS): Delivers applications over the internet, with the cloud provider managing the entire stack and the user responsible for securing application configurations.
Key Terms:
- Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): A cloud computing model where the cloud provider manages the physical and virtual infrastructure, and the user manages the application and network layers.
- Platform as a Service (PaaS): A model providing a platform for developing, running, and managing applications, with the cloud provider managing the infrastructure and platform software, and the user managing the application layer.
- Software as a Service (SaaS): A model where applications are delivered over the internet, with the cloud provider managing the entire stack and the user responsible for securing application configurations.
- Shared Responsibility Model: The distribution of responsibilities between the cloud provider and the customer for the security of their cloud services, varying by service model.
In the context of cloud computing and digital transformation, you need to grasp the disparities between Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS) to effectively navigate your way in the cloud. These models provide different levels of control, management, and responsibility, which can have a significant impact on your understanding of the shared responsibility model in cloud security and operations.
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
IaaS provides users with virtualized computing resources over the internet. You’re responsible for managing the application layer and the network layer, while the cloud provider takes care of the infrastructure layer, including the physical hardware, storage, and networking components. This means you’re responsible for setting up the operating system, managing the network, and configuring the security settings. However, the cloud provider is responsible for the underlying physical and virtual infrastructure, which includes servers, storage, and networking 35.
Platform as a Service (PaaS)
PaaS offers a platform that includes the infrastructure and software needed to develop, run, and manage applications. It provides a platform for developers to build, test, and deploy applications without the complexity of building and maintaining the infrastructure typically associated with developing and launching an app. In the shared responsibility model, the cloud provider is responsible for the infrastructure and the platform software, including the operating system, middleware, and runtime, while the user is responsible for the application layer, including the application code, data, and configurations 35.
Software as a Service (SaaS)
SaaS delivers applications over the internet and is accessed by users through a client-server model. The cloud provider is responsible for the entire stack, including the hardware, software, runtime, middleware, and applications. Users are responsible for managing the application configurations and securing them. This model is often used for applications that are run over the internet and do not require any installation on the user’s device, such as email, web conferencing, and customer relationship management (CRM) software 35.
Shared Responsibility in Cloud Computing
The shared responsibility model in cloud computing refers to the distribution of responsibilities between the cloud provider and the customer for the security of their cloud services. In IaaS, the customer is responsible for the application layer and network layer, while the cloud provider manages the infrastructure layer. In PaaS, the cloud provider is responsible for the infrastructure, platform, and middleware, but the customer is responsible for the application layer and its security. In SaaS, the cloud provider is responsible for the entire stack, and the customer is responsible for securing the application configurations. However, it’s important to note that these responsibilities can vary depending on the vendor, service offering, and contract with the cloud vendor 345.
In the context of cloud computing and digital transformation, you need to understand the differences between Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS) to effectively work in the cloud. These models offer varying levels of control, management, and responsibility, which can significantly impact your shared responsibility model in cloud security and operations.