This article explains why compliance is critical for SaaS providers on AWS and how to design compliant solutions.

• Compliance builds customer trust, meets legal requirements, and enables market access
• AWS Shared Responsibility Model: AWS handles infrastructure compliance; SaaS providers handle application layer
• Tenant isolation requires isolation policies at API, compute, and storage layers using IAM and ABAC
• Silo vs. pool models both viable; pooled resources require rigorous isolation controls
• Data partitioning and encryption decisions must align with compliance and data sensitivity requirements
• Centralized logging, CloudTrail, and audit accounts essential for compliance verification
• Single identity provider source of truth simplifies tenant identity and access management
• AWS provides free resources: Startup Security Baseline, Well-Architected Tool, CIS Benchmarks
• AWS SaaS Factory and GSCA programs support partners meeting compliance obligations

SaaS providers should build compliance into architecture from the start, leveraging AWS services and frameworks to meet security, privacy, and regulatory requirements while maintaining operational efficiency.