Cloud Computing Uses for E-Government in the Middle East Region Opportunities and Challenges

Abstract

This research paper seeks to investigate the cloud computing opportunities, challenges, and service models for e-government in the Middle East. For more than ten years now, the Internet alongside its correlated Web 2.0 applications have become instrumental to both businesses and consumers as it improves the day to day processes, communication and flow of information both within and with government institutions. A number of e-government services being utilized globally offer societies with comparatively sophisticated applications and services. To this end, government can even improve their web services on offer with the institution of a fiber-based broadband network. As it will be discussed herein, many governments in Middle East have identified the significance of IT in improving and sustaining their economy. The paper will introduce the topic and an overview of cloud computing in the Middle East, followed by the methodology. The literature review part will investigate the many researches done by other authors on the same topic. The facts gathered will then be analyzed and comparison done between Europe and Middle East with regards to the use of cloud computing for e-government before the conclusion and recommendation offered.

An Analysis of Cloud Computing Adoption Framework for Iraqi e-Government

“…Security [45], [48], [42], [54] privacy [45], [48], [42], [54] Internet dependency [55], [64] Open standards and interoperability [45], [42] Law and National and International Regulatory [54] Business Reliable issues [48], [42], [50], [54] Identity and access management [45] Although the attention of most countries in adopting cloud computing within e-government systems is significantly rising, still there are some countries which have a little knowledge and leadership's concerns regarding this adoption [55].…”

Analysis of Cloud-Based E-government Services Acceptance in Jordan: Challenges and Barriers

“…In recent years, the public sector in the developing countries, in particular, the Middle East have started gearing towards cloud computing to achieve an increased level of efficiency and performance while offering cost-effective outcome [10]. However, a number of these governments are still in the initial stages of that process.…”

Developing a Framework of Critical Factors Affecting the Adoption of Cloud Computing in Government Systems (ACCE-GOV)

“…This has led providers of Internet services to use commodity-centric computers as their platform [1]. Cloud computing has thus become viewed as a useful strategy for Information Technology (IT) users and Internet service providers (ISPs) [2]. Furthermore, some countries around the world have invested in this technology: the United States of America and Japan have both built cloud computing frameworks as a national strategy [9].…”

“…Innovation in cloud computing have been introduced into several sector such ecommerce, e-health [8]. However, cloud computing has not been sufficiently made use of for e-government systems for their benefits to have become apparent to many governments [2]. Nevertheless, some studies have been carried out to explore the use of cloud computing in e-government systems in developing countries [8].…”