In which cloud computing arrangement does the customer have the most control over their data and systems?

In an Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) model, the customer gains the highest level of control over their data and systems compared to other cloud computing arrangements. With IaaS, users are provided with virtualized computing resources over the internet, which means they can configure and manage the underlying infrastructure, including storage, networking, and processing power.

This capability allows customers to install their own operating systems, applications, and middleware, providing them with control over the entire environment in which their applications run. They can tailor it according to their specific requirements, security initiatives, and compliance needs.

This level of control is particularly crucial for organizations that handle sensitive data or have stringent regulatory obligations. In contrast, other models like Software as a Service (SaaS) and Platform as a Service (PaaS) offer less control, as these services are more managed and abstracted. SaaS typically delivers software applications that are hosted and managed by a third party, while PaaS provides a platform for developers to build applications without managing the underlying hardware or software layers directly. Therefore, in the context of cloud computing, IaaS enables customers to have the most autonomy and management over their data and systems.