Khawar Hameed

A Conceptual Framework for Designing Data Governance for Cloud Computing

Data complexity and volume continue to explode; businesses have grown more sophisticated in their use of data which drives new demands that require different ways to combine, manipulate, store, and present information. Forward thinking companies have recognised that data management solutions on their own are becoming very expensive and not able to cope with business reality, and that they need to solve the data problem in a different way through the implementation of effective data governance. Attempts in governing data failed before, as they were driven by IT, and affected by rigid processes and fragmented activities carried out on system-by-system basis. Up to very recently governance is mostly informal, in siloes around specific enterprise repositories, lacking in structure and the in wider support by the organisation. With the emergence of cloud computing and the increased adoption, data governance is receiving an increasing interest amongst specialist, but still under researched. This paper presents initial research towards developing an effective data governance programmes for the cloud paradigm. The paper discusses why it is essential to do so from both the cloud consumer and provider perspectives and proposes a conceptual framework and a five-step procedure for designing data governance for cloud computing.

Current State of Cloud Computing Adoption – An Empirical Study in Major Public Sector Organizations of Saudi Arabia (KSA)

Abstract Cloud computing technology has been adopted by many developed countries’ public sectors. This has led to improvements in government function, the services it provides to its citizens and institutions, and its cooperation with other government organizations. Whilst cloud computing is no longer an emerging technology in developed countries, it is still a relatively new paradigm in other countries, particularly in developing countries. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), for instance, is still at the phase of considering the technology, with very few cases of adoption, and certainly not at governmental levels. This paper analyzes the state of current cloud computing adoption in the KSA, supported by an empirical study through a comprehensive outreach survey, yet to be reported in the literature. The survey was distributed throughout a number of government ministries, rather than a specific one, which has been the main focus of published literature.

Key Dimensions for Cloud Data Governance

Forward thinking organizations recognize that data management solutions on their own are becoming very expensive and failing cope with reality. They need to solve the data problem in a different way, through the implementation of an effective Data Governance. Data Governance needs to take a policy-centric approach to data models, data quality standards, data security and lifecycle management, and processes for defining, implementing and enforcing these policies. Until recently, data governance has largely been informal, in siloes around specific enterprise repositories, lacking structure and the wider support of the organization. In many government departments, data governance exists as a set of very ambiguous and generic regulations. The area of data governance is still under-researched, despite its importance. With the emergence of Cloud computing, and its increased adoption by businesses, public organisations and governments, as much as the potential gains from adopting the technology, businesses face new and more complex challenges. Such emphasize the need for effective data governance strategy and programs, which can ensure best returns for cloud adoption. This paper is one of very few published research, which tackles this subject domain, and attempts to lay its foundations.

A systematic literature review of data governance and cloud data governance

Data management solutions on their own are becoming very expensive and not able to cope with the reality of everlasting data complexity. Businesses have grown more sophisticated in their use of data, which drives new demands that require different ways to handle this data. Forward-thinking organizations believe that the only way to solve the data problem will be the implementation of an effective data governance. Attempts in governing data failed before, as they were driven by IT, and affected by rigid processes and fragmented activities carried out on system by system basis. Up to very recently governance is mostly informal with very ambiguous and generic regulations, in siloes around specific enterprise repositories, lacking structure and the wider support of the organization. Despite its highly recognized importance, the area of data governance is still under developed and under researched. Since data governance is still under researched, there is need to advance research in data governance in order to deepen practice. Currently, what exist are mostly descriptive literature reviews in the area of data governance. In this paper, a systematic literature review (SLR), which offers a structured, methodical, and rigorous approach to the understanding of the state-of-the-art of research in data governance. The objective of the study is to provide a credible intellectual guide for upcoming researchers in data governance to help them identify areas in data governance research where they can make the most impact. The systematic literature review covered published contributions from both academia and industry. The presented SLR searches and examines most relevant published work since year 2000 to-date for data governance for non-cloud, and for cloud computing since 2007. Only 52 studies met the inclusion criteria, which are critically reviewed.