Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) Practice Exam

What form of virtual desktop infrastructure is handled by a third party?

1. Desktop-as-a-service (DaaS)

2. Infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS)

3. Software-as-a-service (SaaS)

4. Platform-as-a-service (PaaS)

The correct answer is: Desktop-as-a-service (DaaS)

Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS) is the correct choice because it represents a cloud computing service where a third-party provider hosts the virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI). In this model, users can access their desktops from anywhere that has an internet connection, enabling a convenient and flexible working environment. The DaaS provider manages the backend infrastructure, including servers, storage, and networking, as well as the desktop operating systems and applications. This allows organizations to eliminate the expenses and complexities associated with setting up and maintaining their own desktop environments. Infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) involves providing virtualized computing resources over the internet, but this refers primarily to the hardware level (like servers and storage) rather than complete desktop environments. Software-as-a-service (SaaS) delivers software applications over the internet without needing to manage the underlying infrastructure or platform, which does not include the full desktop experience that DaaS provides. Platform-as-a-service (PaaS) focuses on providing developers with a platform to develop, run, and manage applications without the complexity of building and maintaining the infrastructure typically associated with developing and launching apps. Therefore, none of these alternatives specifically address the virtual desktop infrastructure model that DaaS encompasses.