Enhancing User Trust in Cloud Computing Applications

Despite the surge in activity and interest in cloud computing, there are significant and persistent concerns about cloud computing, particularly with regard to trusting the cloud platform in terms of confidentiality, integrity and availability of user data stored through these applications. These factors are significant in determining trust in cloud computing and thus provide the foundation for this paper. The significant role that trust plays in use of cloud computing was considered in relation to various trust related models, theories and frameworks. The available trust models, frameworks and cloud computing adoption strategies focus on cost reduction and the various benefits that are associated with migrating to the cloud. This paper focused on the lack of user trust in cloud computing applications, and strategies of enhancing user trust with reference to the Proposed Trust Model by Mayer, Davis, and Schoorman, (1995) and the Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability (CIA) Triad. A questionnaire was used as the means of gathering data on trust related perceptions of the use of cloud computing. An initial cloud computing adoption model was proposed based on key portions of cloud computing literature that was explored, combined and expected to enhance trust in cloud computing. This initial model was an important foundation for the establishment of the Critical Success Factors (CSFs) and thereafter the framework to enhance user trust in cloud computing applications.