Security and Privacy Factors Influencing the Adoption of Cloud Computing in Australian SMEs

Even though there are myriad benefits of cloud computing, there is a reluctance among Australian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in adopting cloud computing. The purpose of this study is to investigate key security and privacy related factors that influence the intention to adopt cloud computing among Australian SMEs. Based on a thorough analysis of literature, a comprehensive conceptual model was developed to assess the impact of security and privacy factors for cloud computing adoption. By conducting a survey of 186 Australian SMEs, the study identified that security and privacy related requirements significantly impact cloud computing adoption of SMEs. The multivariate data analysis also showed that skilled personnel, technology readiness, data security concerns, data privacy concerns, legal compliance, and trust in cloud service providers (CSPs) are essential determinants of the intention to adopt cloud computing by SMEs.