What are customers responsible for when evaluating security in a software as a service (SaaS) cloud services model?

In the Software as a Service (SaaS) model, customers hold key responsibilities primarily concerning their accounts and identities. This includes managing user access, maintaining strong authentication practices, and ensuring that user accounts are secured against unauthorized access. Customers are tasked with defining roles and permissions for their users, as well as overseeing identity and access management to safeguard sensitive information processed within the SaaS applications.

While aspects like operating systems, network controls, and applications are typically managed by the service provider in a SaaS environment, the responsibility for accounts and identities rests with the customer. This delineation is a crucial aspect of the shared responsibility model in cloud services, where the provider handles the infrastructure and platform while customers maintain control over their data, users, and identities. Understanding this division of responsibility helps organizations effectively secure their resources in the cloud.