A 'cloud-free' security model for cloud computing

Abstract

Characterised by low investment cost, economies of scale, open standards and sustainability, cloud computing is being increasingly adopted by organisations. This paper presents the development of a comprehensive model that highlights the security impacts of cloud computing on organisations' information security strategies. The 'cloud-free' security model symbolises a computing model with a low level of uncertainty regarding security concerns. Using theoretical frameworks and deploying the analytic hierarchy process as a quantitative method technique, the model will be both validated and assessed. The model can be applied in assessing the security issues emanating from cloud computing, identifying the security countermeasures needed to address these issues and coordinating the efforts of the various participants to enhance information security in organisations adopting cloud computing. This contribution is believed to be useful to practitioners, academicians and researchers in the information security and cloud computing research streams.