Cloud Computing:Strategies for Cloud Computing Adoption

133 Pages·2017·1.25 MB·English

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Dissertations School of Computer Sciences
2010-09-01
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Faith Shimba
Technological University Dublin, [email protected]
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Shimba, F.:Cloud Computing:Strategies for Cloud Computing Adoption. Masters Dissertation. Dublin,
Technological University Dublin, 2010.
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School of Computing
Dissertations
Dublin Institute of Technology Year 
Cloud Computing:Strategies for Cloud
Computing Adoption
Faith Shimba Mr.
Dublin Institute of Technology, [email protected]
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Cloud Computing: Strategies for Cloud
Computing Adoption

Faith Shimba

A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of Dublin
Institute of Technology for the degree of
M.Sc. in Computing (Information Technology)

September 2010
I certify that this dissertation which I now submit for examination for the award of MSc in
Computing (Information Technology), is entirely my own work and has not been taken from
the work of others save and to the extent that such work has been cited and acknowledged
within the test of my work.
This dissertation was prepared according to the regulations for postgraduate study of the
Dublin Institute of Technology and has not been submitted in whole or part for an award in
any other Institute or University.
The work reported on in this dissertation conforms to the principles and requirements of the
Institute’s guidelines for ethics in research.

Signed: ________________________________

Date: 01 September 2010

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ABSTRACT
The advent of cloud computing in recent years has sparked an interest from different
organisations, institutions and users to take advantage of web applications. This is a result of
the new economic model for the Information Technology (IT) department that cloud
computing promises. The model promises a shift from an organisation required to invest
heavily for limited IT resources that are internally managed, to a model where the
organisation can buy or rent resources that are managed by a cloud provider, and pay per
use. Cloud computing also promises scalability of resources and on-demand availability of
resources.
Although, the adoption of cloud computing promises various benefits to an organisation, a
successful adoption of cloud computing in an organisation requires an understanding of
different dynamics and expertise in diverse domains. Currently, there are inadequate
guidelines for adopting cloud computing and building trust. Therefore, this research project
aims at developing a roadmap called ROCCA (Roadmap for Cloud Computing Adoption),
which provides organisations with a number of steps for adopting cloud computing and
building trust. An associated framework called ROCCA Achievement Framework (RAF) is
also proposed. RAF is a framework that uses the criteria in the ROCCA to build a
framework for measuring the adherence level to the proposed roadmap.
This dissertation focuses on a range of strategic issues from a broad cross section of areas of
expertise required to ensure a successful cloud computing adoption. It presents in detail the
technological factors key to a successful cloud computing adoption, and it introduces the
technology underlying cloud computing, and describes different cloud computing delivery
and deployment models.
It explains how an emphasis on collaboration between clients and vendor is essential for
successful adoption of cloud computing. If the organisation feels free, confident and secure
to use cloud services then it is more likely that the adoption rate will increase. By following
the guidelines outlined, organisations can ensure that their adoption of cloud computing are
effective, efficient and provides a high degree of satisfaction. This dissertation also covers
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cloud computing from a business perspective, ensuring that cloud computing adoption
projects are fully costed, and risks are properly understood.
Key words: Adoption, cloud, cloud computing, security, trust, ROCCA, RAF

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Writing an acknowledgement is not an easy. This is because there are so many people who
have helped along the way. The authors’ greatest fear is forgetting someone, so I start off by
saying thank you to all. If your name is not mentioned, please forgive me!
Thanks go to Dr. Pierpaolo Dondio of the Distributed Computing Group, at Trinity College,
who served as my supervisor during the course of writing this dissertation. Dr. Pierpaolo
Dondio also helped greatly by providing critical directions whenever needed (of course if
this dissertation is a mess the blame falls on me and only me!).
Thanks to Dr. Ronan Fitzpatrick for his challenging seminars and discussions during the
taught part of this course and for his invaluable feedback in the preparation of this
dissertation. Dr. Fredrick J. Mtenzi, for his never ending support and encouragement
throughout the course of my studies. Mr. Wawila Mwazembe for providing the author with
the case study outlined in chapter eight and feedback on the roadmap and framework
proposed in this dissertation.
Special thanks to Zanifa Omary for sharing her experience in research and dissertation
writing. I would be negligent if I did not mention my family, my parents Joel and Helena;
and especially my Wife Irene and our boys Shalom and Jedidijah, who have supported me
through the thick and thin of this MSc studies and Kenneth and Witness special kids.
Last but not least, all DT 230 lecturers and students for the different discussions, challenges
and experiences shared during the taught part of this MSc. Course.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABSTRACT................................................................................................................II
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS......................................................................................IV
TABLE OF FIGURES..............................................................................................IX
TABLE OF TABLES................................................................................................XI
1. INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................1
1.1 WHAT IS CLOUD COMPUTING?...........................................................................1
1.2 TRUST AND CHALLENGES IN CLOUD COMPUTING ADOPTION.............................1
1.3 RESEARCH PROBLEM..........................................................................................2
1.4 INTELLECTUAL CHALLENGES..............................................................................3
1.5 RESEARCH OBJECTIVES......................................................................................4
1.6 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY................................................................................4
1.7 RESOURCES........................................................................................................5
1.8 SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS....................................................................................5
1.9 ORGANISATION OF THE DISSERTATION...............................................................6
2. CLOUD COMPUTING........................................................................................8
2.1 INTRODUCTION...................................................................................................8
2.2 CLOUD COMPUTING...........................................................................................8
2.2.1 Definition: Cloud Computing...............................................................10
2.2.2 Characteristics......................................................................................13
2.2.3 Technology............................................................................................14
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2.2.4 Service/Delivery and Deployment Models............................................16
2.2.5 Drivers for adoption and benefits of cloud computing.........................21
2.3 CONCLUSION....................................................................................................23
3. TRUST IN COMPUTER SCIENCE.................................................................24
3.1 TRUST IN COMPUTER SYSTEMS.........................................................................24
3.1 Definition: Trust...................................................................................24
3.2 Situations that demands trust in cloud computing................................26
3.3 Qualities of trust relationship...............................................................28
3.4 Models of trust......................................................................................29
3.4.1 Cloud computing trust models..............................................................31
Trusted Cloud Computing Platform (TCCP) (Santos et al., 2009)....................31
Private Virtual Infrastructure (Krautheim, 2009).............................................32
Cloud Cube Model (JERICHO, 2009)..............................................................32
3.5 CONCLUSION....................................................................................................33
4. SECURITY, LEGAL AND COMPLIANCE ISSUES.....................................34
4.1 INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................34
4.2 SECURITY.........................................................................................................34
4.2.1 Security challenges in cloud computing...............................................35
4.2.2 Vulnerabilities and Threats in cloud computing..................................37
4.2.3 Cloud computing: source of perceived security threats.......................38
4.2.4 Security and cloud computing (Standards and Best Practices)............40
4.3 LEGAL AND COMPLIANCE ISSUES......................................................................48
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