Cloud Computing at a Cross Road: Quality and Risks in Higher Education

Abstract

The key determinants of cloud computing provide a convincing argument for HEIs and its stakeholders to adopt the innovation. These benefits reflect the essential quality characteristics of the cloud, such as Broad network Access; Measured Service; On-demand Self-Service; Rapid Elasticity; and Resource Pooling. However, there are also risks associated with the cloud, leading to non-adoption, such as Confidence, Privacy, Security, Surety and Trust. Understanding the impact of these factors can support multiple stakeholders, such as students, lecturers, senior managers and admins in their adoptive decision of CC in their respected institutions. Using the Multiview 3 (MV3) methodology, a research model was proposed to explore the key qualities and risks that determine the adoption or non-adoption of CC by UK HEIs from multiple perspectives. An exploratory qualitative study was conducted on 32 University stakeholders across 2 UK Universities. The findings suggest that security, privacy and trust are the key determinants to non-adoption as participants felt that the cloud cannot fully guarantee the safeguarding of sensitive information. Determinants to cloud adoption include improving relationships between students and teachers via collaborative tools, in addition to proposing cloud apps for mobile devices for accessing virtual learning materials and email securely off-campus. In conclusion, University stakeholders are still at a crossroad when it comes to cloud adoption, but future advances of the cloud may help to steer their decision to adopt this innovative technology given its overwhelming potential.

Risk Assessment Framework of mHealth System Vulnerabilities: A Multilayer Analysis of the Patient Hub

“…One such wireless technology that utilises these three layers is known as the "patient hub". The patient hub is an integrated care platform that relies on wearable sensors [9] and smart cloud computing technology [10] [11] [12] [13] to support patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and co-morbidities, with specific emphasis on Chronic Heart Failure, Diabetes, Anxiety and Depression. However, the manipulation of the patient hub applications and disclosure of sensitive data through potential network attacks could be fatal for patients relying on these technologies.…”

Contextual Analysis of Educational Monitoring and Progression as a Service (EMPaaS) System in Higher Education

“…Private clouds are considered the most secure cloud model given its extra level of security;  Hybrid Cloud: this is a combination of two or more clouds e.g. public and private [29] [32];  Community Cloud: these are controlled and shared in the cloud environment by various organisations, and caters for a particular community who have similar interests [23] [29] [32] [33].…”

“…According to a recent Cisco study, only 22 percent of cloud services are used in the education sector [39]. The rejection of the cloud is also due to users' unfamiliarity with services [28] [29]. Selection of CC as a solution to enhance existing IS can be a difficult and complex decision making process that cannot be performed overnight.…”

“…HEIs. It has only been within the currentdecade that the literature on CC in the HEI context has started to emerge in IS literature [29].…”

“…CC is Open Journal of Business and Management a system that uses a network of services hosted remotely on the internet as a means of storing, managing and processing data, as opposed to a local machine or server [23]. There are also various intangible benefits of the cloud, such as cost efficiency, increased collaboration, flexibility and scalability, and greater reliability and accessibility [29] [46] [47] [48] [49].…”