Azure SaaS Listing Compliance Checklist

Ensure your SaaS product meets Azure Marketplace compliance with this comprehensive checklist covering security, documentation, and integration requirements.

Sarvagya Pandey

Marketing Specialist

Publishing on Azure Marketplace requires meeting specific compliance, security, and technical standards. These ensure your product is secure, functional, and ready for customers. Here's what you need to know:

Key Compliance Steps:

Security Standards: Use encryption, firewalls, and regular security monitoring.
Technical Integration: Ensure Azure AD (Microsoft Entra ID) setup with SSO and MFA. Integrate APIs for subscription and billing management.
Privacy Laws: Align with GDPR and CCPA by updating privacy policies, managing user data rights, and conducting security audits.
Content Guidelines: Write clear and concise titles, descriptions, and pricing details that meet Azure's standards.
Documentation: Maintain detailed compliance records, including security controls and regulatory adherence.

Why It Matters:

Build customer trust with secure and compliant solutions.
Avoid legal penalties and ensure smooth marketplace audits.
Expand market reach while reducing risks.

Quick Overview of Tools:

WeTransact: Automates compliance, simplifies documentation, and accelerates your go-to-market process.
Azure Policy & Compliance Manager: Helps manage resources and assess risks.
Microsoft Purview: Supports data governance and monitoring.

By following these steps and using tools like WeTransact, you can streamline the process and get your SaaS product listed on Azure Marketplace efficiently. Ready to dive deeper? Let’s explore the full details below.

Microsoft Commercial Marketplace - Publish SaaS Listing

Technical Requirements

Azure Marketplace has specific technical standards to ensure smooth integration and functionality within the Azure ecosystem. These include requirements for authentication, API integration, and system compatibility.

Azure AD Setup Requirements

Authentication in Azure Marketplace relies on Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD). To meet these requirements, your SaaS application must support:

Single Sign-On (SSO): Allow users to log in using their Microsoft Entra credentials.
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Enforce strong authentication measures to enhance security.
Landing Page Integration: Develop a landing page dedicated to processing Microsoft Entra ID authentication.

The landing page should be configured to:

Validate Microsoft Entra ID tokens.
Extract user details via the Microsoft Graph API.
Manage user provisioning through SCIM endpoints.

API Integration Steps

To manage subscriptions and billing effectively, your application needs to integrate with Azure's SaaS Fulfillment APIs. Here's a breakdown of the required API flows:

API Flow Type	Purpose	Requirements
Landing Page	Handle purchase processing	Token validation
Activation	Set up new subscriptions	Create new subscriptions
Update	Manage subscription changes	Support plan updates and quantity adjustments
Webhook	Send status notifications	Provide real-time updates

Implementation Details:

Ensure all API flows are implemented, and webhooks are continuously available to maintain accurate subscription data.
Use Azure API Management for securing and monitoring your APIs.
Report any security incidents without delay.

"Azure API Management is one of the services we rely on to expose our APIs and manage them in a very secure fashion with all the security layers mandated by our enterprise security team." - Viju Chacko, Head of Digital Architecture, Air India ^[4]

Finally, confirm that your security measures protect both data integrity and transaction safety throughout the integration process.

Security and Privacy Standards

Protecting customer data isn't just about meeting regulatory requirements - it's about building trust. To achieve this, it's essential to implement strong data protection measures and align with privacy laws.

Data Protection Requirements

Securing your data requires a multi-layered approach. Here's how you can enforce protection across different stages:

Protection Layer	Requirement	Implementation
Data at Rest	256-bit AES encryption	FIPS 140-2 compliant storage
Data in Transit	TLS 1.2 or higher	IEEE 802.1AE MAC Security Standards
Key Management	Azure Key Vault integration	Customer-managed or service-managed keys
Access Control	HTTPS enforcement	Secure REST API calls

To strengthen your defenses, consider these actions:

Use server-side encryption with either service-managed or customer-managed keys via Azure Key Vault.
Enforce HTTPS for all storage accounts to secure access.
Configure SMB 3.0 encryption for Azure Files to protect file shares.
Deploy Microsoft Purview to classify and prevent unauthorized data access.

By combining these measures, you can ensure your data protection practices are solid and reliable.

Privacy Law Compliance

Adhering to privacy laws is critical - not just to avoid penalties, but to demonstrate accountability to your users. Here’s how to align with key regulations:

GDPR Compliance Steps:

Update your privacy policies to clearly explain data collection and usage.
Implement systems to manage user data rights, such as access and deletion requests.
Set up breach notification processes to respond quickly in case of incidents.
Conduct regular security audits to identify and address vulnerabilities.

CCPA Compliance Steps:

Be transparent about your data handling practices by documenting them thoroughly.
Create user-friendly processes for data access and deletion requests.
Map data flows across your systems to understand where and how data is stored.
Regularly review third-party processors to ensure they meet compliance standards.

Non-compliance can lead to hefty fines: GDPR violations can cost up to €20 million or 4% of global annual revenue ^[5], while intentional CCPA violations may result in fines of up to $7,500 per incident ^[6].

To simplify compliance, leverage tools like:

Azure Policy for managing organizational resources.
Compliance Manager for assessing and mitigating risks.
Microsoft Purview for data governance and monitoring.
Azure Backup to ensure robust data recovery plans.

WeTransact offers built-in tools to help SaaS providers meet these data protection and privacy standards, ensuring compliance while maintaining their Azure Marketplace listings.

Listing Content Guidelines

When it comes to Azure Marketplace, your listing content and pricing are not just formalities - they are essential for compliance with technical and security standards. To ensure your listing meets these requirements, it's important to follow specific content and pricing guidelines.

Title and Description Standards

Your listing's title and description are the first things potential customers see, so they need to be clear, concise, and compliant. Titles should be lowercase, use only alphanumeric characters, dashes, or underscores, and cannot be altered once published ^[3].

Key Listing Elements:

Element	Character Limit	Requirements	Best Practices
Offer Title	N/A	Lowercase alphanumeric only	Include key search terms
Search Summary	100 characters	Concise solution overview	Highlight the core value proposition
Full Description	3,000 characters	Simple HTML allowed	Use formatting for easy readability
Keywords	N/A	Must align with capabilities	Choose relevant search terms

Using simple HTML tags like <p>, <ul>, <li>, <em>, and header tags can help organize your content and make it visually appealing.

Once your content is finalized, it's time to ensure your pricing structure is equally clear and compliant.

Pricing Requirements

Pricing is just as critical as content when it comes to Azure Marketplace listings. It must follow specific marketplace standards to maintain consistency and transparency.

Pricing Rules to Follow:

Base Currency Standards
All prices must be set in USD, with automatic conversion to local currencies.
Pricing Model Options
Choose from one of the following models:
- Flat rate (available in terms of 1 month to 3 years)
- Per user (available in terms of 1 month to 3 years)
- Usage-based pricing with metering service dimensions ^[7]
Market-Specific Adjustments
Validate the converted prices in each target market to ensure accuracy. Keep in mind that pricing models cannot be changed after publication ^[7].

For best results, consider creating pricing tiers that align with different usage patterns. Tools like WeTransact's platform can simplify the process of managing compliant pricing structures across various markets.

sbb-itb-cd24f9b

Audit Preparation

Getting ready for Azure Marketplace compliance audits requires thorough documentation and rigorous security testing. Let's break this down into two key areas: required documentation and security testing protocols.

Required Documentation

To meet compliance standards like ISO 27001, SOC 1/2/3, FedRAMP, HITRUST, MTCS, IRAP, and ENS ^[8], you need to provide clear, well-organized documentation. Azure Security and Compliance Blueprints can simplify this process.

Documentation Type	Purpose	Key Components
Security Controls	Compliance Validation	Access controls, encryption protocols, incident response
Azure Blueprints	Resource Management	Role assignments, policy assignments, ARM templates
Compliance Reports	Regulatory Adherence	Audit logs, security assessments, vulnerability scans

Automated compliance tools can be a game-changer here. Organizations using these tools have reported cutting their audit preparation time by as much as 60% ^[11]. To ensure your documentation is comprehensive, consider these steps:

Resource Inventory: Build a detailed inventory of all Azure subscriptions, resource groups, and assets. This serves as the foundation for tracking compliance and preparing for audits.
Access Management Records: Keep thorough documentation of user permissions, group assignments, and service account configurations. Include justifications for privileged access and role assignments.
Security Controls: Record all implemented security measures, such as encryption protocols, network security settings, and monitoring tools.

Once your documentation is in place, the next focus is on security testing.

Security Testing Protocol

A continuous security testing protocol is essential for ensuring compliance. This includes vulnerability detection, penetration testing, and regular security assessments ^[9].

"Penetration testing proactively secures your business by identifying vulnerabilities before attackers can exploit them. It helps you meet compliance requirements, prioritize risks, and demonstrate your commitment to security, boosting customer trust."
– Ciklum ^[10]

Key Steps for Security Testing:

Conduct vulnerability scans on all images before submission.
Perform malware scans on source code and VM images.
Regularly carry out penetration tests on critical systems.
Document all vulnerabilities and ensure they are addressed.
Maintain detailed logs of all testing activities.

Platforms like WeTransact can help automate compliance and integrate security testing into your workflow, ensuring your SaaS listing stays compliant throughout its lifecycle on the Azure Marketplace.

For a deeper security review, Mazzy Technologies Corp. offers an Azure Penetration Test service. This service provides comprehensive scans of Azure services like App Services, Storage Accounts, Key Vaults, and Azure SQL, delivering a thorough security assessment before your marketplace deployment.

Compliance Management Tools

Managing compliance for Azure Marketplace can be a daunting task. Luckily, specialized tools like WeTransact simplify the process by automating workflows and minimizing risks.

WeTransact Compliance Features

WeTransact

WeTransact provides a suite of tools designed to streamline compliance management. With this platform, Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) can launch their applications with just 2.5 hours of effort and go live in as little as five days ^[14].

Feature Category	Capabilities	Benefits
Documentation Management	Automated compliance processes, BI analytics	Cuts down on manual tasks and improves visibility
Technical Integration	API management layer, ERP/Supply Chain integration	Simplifies data flow across systems
Compliance Monitoring	Real-time tracking, automated alerts	Ensures continuous compliance
Security Standards	GDPR compliance, data protection	Minimizes risk of non-compliance penalties

A great example of WeTransact's impact is Suppeco, a supplier relationship management SaaS company. In 2024, Suppeco became a fully transactable ISV on the Azure Marketplace using WeTransact's compliance tools ^[13]. Their rollout included regular review sessions and a robust enablement framework featuring workshops, tech and sales training, joint marketing campaigns, and ongoing improvement reviews.

"WeTransact helps us elevate the experience. A significant part of our GTM strategy is safe and minimal CSP data sharing."

Sheldon Mydat, Founder and CEO of Suppeco ^[13]

Beyond compliance, WeTransact also offers tools to expand market access.

Market Access Tools

WeTransact doesn’t stop at compliance management - it also helps ISVs tap into Microsoft's extensive network of partners. The platform connects users to over 90,000 resellers across 140 countries, while also handling tax compliance in 54 jurisdictions ^[12].

Key market access features include:

Private offer creation and management
Tools to connect with Cloud Solution Providers (CSPs)
Access to Microsoft resellers
Automated tax compliance across multiple jurisdictions

"Having WeTransact available for our ISVs is invaluable as they have firmly nailed their colors to the Azure Marketplace ... They bring a wealth of knowledge, which is critical as trying to navigate Microsoft from outside can sometimes feel like splitting an atom to our ISVs."

Mark, Partner Manager @Microsoft ^[14]

WeTransact takes a comprehensive approach to compliance, covering everything from workforce and equipment to vehicles and tools. This all-encompassing strategy ensures organizations can maintain compliance while scaling their presence on the Azure Marketplace.

Next Steps

Compliance Summary

Meeting Azure Marketplace compliance standards involves safeguarding user data, providing complete SaaS documentation, and strictly following marketplace policies ^[1].

Requirement Category	Key Components	Verification Method
Technical Setup	Azure AD integration, API endpoints	Automated testing
Security Standards	Data protection, vulnerability prevention	Penetration testing
Content Guidelines	Offer description, pricing transparency	Manual review
Legal Documentation	Terms of service, privacy policy	Legal compliance check

To stay compliant, regularly monitor system health and tenant activity. Perform routine penetration tests and security code reviews to ensure everything remains secure and up to standard ^[15]. These proactive measures pave the way for a smoother compliance process, especially when utilizing tools like WeTransact.

Start with WeTransact

WeTransact simplifies the Azure Marketplace compliance process with its all-in-one platform. By reducing the technical challenges of marketplace publishing, it allows ISVs to launch their applications with just 2.5 hours of effort ^[14].

Take, for instance, SoftCo, which successfully went live in just 48 hours using WeTransact's compliance tools ^[14].

"We have been impressed by how simple and fast it has been to publish Factorial into the Microsoft Marketplace with WeTransact." - Oriol, General Manager @Factorial ^[14]

Here’s how you can get started with WeTransact:

Initial Setup: Use WeTransact's automated tools to configure your app settings and integrate with Azure AD.
Documentation Preparation: Simplify legal documentation, such as privacy policies and terms of service, with WeTransact's ready-made templates.
Compliance Monitoring: Set up automated tenant health alerts through Slack, MS Teams, or email to stay informed ^[2].

With these steps, you’re well on your way to achieving Azure Marketplace compliance quickly and efficiently.

FAQs

What compliance requirements must be met to list a SaaS product on the Azure Marketplace?

To get your SaaS product listed on the Azure Marketplace, you'll need to meet a few important compliance requirements:

Azure Integration: Your product must primarily operate on Microsoft Azure and work seamlessly with its services. This is a key requirement for eligibility.
Legal and Certification Standards: Make sure your product adheres to data protection laws like GDPR and meets industry certifications such as ISO 27001 or PCI DSS. These standards demonstrate your commitment to security and compliance.
Content Accuracy: Your product listing must clearly explain its value, target audience, and features. It will go through a content validation process to ensure everything is accurate and easy to understand.
Technical Review: Be ready to provide detailed documentation and undergo a technical review. This step confirms that your compliance claims hold up under scrutiny.

Meeting these requirements will prepare your SaaS product for publication on the Azure Marketplace.

How does WeTransact simplify Azure Marketplace compliance for SaaS companies?

How WeTransact Simplifies Azure Marketplace Compliance

WeTransact takes the hassle out of meeting Azure Marketplace compliance requirements for SaaS companies by offering an all-in-one platform that simplifies the entire process. With this platform, businesses can handle everything in one place - whether it’s onboarding, managing app listings, setting up pricing plans, or ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.

Beyond compliance, WeTransact also helps SaaS companies build valuable connections with Microsoft resellers and enterprise customers. It provides tools for managing private offers and offers go-to-market support to help businesses expand their reach. By reducing complexity and saving time, WeTransact ensures a smoother, more efficient path for SaaS companies looking to succeed on the Azure Marketplace.

What security and privacy steps should SaaS companies take to protect data when using Azure services?

To safeguard data while using Azure services, SaaS companies should prioritize a few essential security and privacy practices. Encryption plays a key role - make sure your data is encrypted both when it's stored (at rest) and when it's being transmitted (in transit). Azure also supports data residency options, allowing businesses to comply with regulations like GDPR and protect sensitive information effectively.

Take advantage of tools like Azure Policy and Azure Blueprint to establish strong access controls and enforce data governance. These tools help ensure that only authorized individuals can access data and that it stays in approved locations. Furthermore, Azure offers built-in features such as data segregation, redundancy, and secure deletion protocols, all designed to strengthen data protection.

By implementing these strategies, SaaS companies can adhere to regulatory requirements, reduce the risk of data breaches, and maintain the trust of their customers.