SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/aplus-saas-model

Using a provider's email app in your web browser is an example of which cloud service model?

SaaS, Software as a Service.

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  1. IaaS
  2. SaaS ✔
  3. PaaS

Why: In SaaS you use the provider's application, such as web-based email, running on their cloud. You do not manage servers or the operating system. IaaS and PaaS hand you more of the stack.

Huh, didn't know that: NIST defines exactly three service models and four deployment models.

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What did Bugs Bunny say when he opened his online word processor? 'What's up, Google Doc?'
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References

Answer: SaaS. In SaaS you use the provider's application, such as web-based email, running on their cloud. You do not manage servers or the operating system. IaaS and PaaS hand you more of the stack.

  1. NIST SP 800-145, The NIST Definition of Cloud Computing nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/Legacy/SP/nistspecialpublication800-145.pdf
    The capability provided to the consumer is to use the provider’s applications running on a cloud infrastructure
    Checked 2026-10-10.
  2. NIST SP 800-145, The NIST Definition of Cloud Computing nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/Legacy/SP/nistspecialpublication800-145.pdf
    a thin client interface, such as a web browser (e.g., web-based email)
    Checked 2026-10-10.
  3. NIST SP 800-145, The NIST Definition of Cloud Computing nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/Legacy/SP/nistspecialpublication800-145.pdf
    The cloud infrastructure is provisioned for exclusive use by a single organization comprising multiple consumers
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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