Risks in Adopting Cloud Computing: A Proposed Conceptual Framework

Cloud computing has become highly strategic and necessary technology in the IT industry. Cloud computing provide many benefits to organizations but there are risks associated with it which hamper its adoption. Therefore, it is important in this research identify the risks which negatively affect cloud computing adoption decision in order to accelerate its adoption. The research has reviewed relevant literature and accordingly selected fifty research papers from leading information systems journals and conferences. Accordingly, several critical factors were identified. The most important critical factors are grouped into three different categories namely, legal (data privacy, compliance and regulations), technical (bandwidth, data integration, security, vendor lock-in) and operational (loss of control over the services, lack of equipment and knowledge, business continuity and disaster recovery) risks. Finally, a conceptual framework on cloud computing adoption risks is proposed based on those identified factors. This research is of great importance to researchers, cloud computing professionals and policymakers. It will also help in formulating strategies to encourage the adoption and acceptance of cloud computing services, where cloud computing is still considered a risky endeavor and outcomes are seen as uncertain.

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