(ISC)2 Certified in Cybersecurity Practice Exam

Which model allows cloud customers to use applications without managing the underlying infrastructure?

1. Platform as a Service (PaaS)

2. Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

3. Software as a Service (SaaS)

4. Network as a Service (NaaS)

The correct answer is: Software as a Service (SaaS)

The model that allows cloud customers to use applications without managing the underlying infrastructure is Software as a Service (SaaS). This approach provides users with access to software applications over the internet, typically through a web browser. Users benefit from utilizing the software without needing to worry about the installation, maintenance, or infrastructure that supports the applications. The cloud provider handles all aspects of the software, including hosting, server management, and updates, allowing customers to focus solely on using the application for their needs. In contrast, other models such as Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) still require some level of management and understanding of the underlying infrastructure. PaaS provides a development environment where developers can build and deploy applications, while IaaS gives users virtualized computing resources such as servers and storage, requiring them to configure and manage those resources. Network as a Service (NaaS) focuses on network services and does not pertain to end-user applications directly. Thus, SaaS stands out as the most straightforward solution for users looking to leverage software without the complexities of infrastructure management.