A Framework for Assessing Cloud Computing Security for Cloud Adoption in Microfinance Banks

Cloud computing is an important element of success to microfinance banks. While significant progress has taken place in the adoption of cloud services, there still remains security challenges which have to be addressed immediately. Many microfinance banks adopt cloud computing without considering what security measures has been offered by the cloud service providers, their level of security readiness for cloud adoption which always leads to weak implementation and or total failure. Therefore, this paper aims to develop a framework for assessing cloud computing security for cloud adoption in microfinance banks that covers all the aspects relating to the security of cloud computing which are to be necessarily examined by microfinance banks intending to use cloud solutions prior to entering into a contract with a cloud service provider. In particular, this framework ensures the development of a clear, consistent and simplified criteria to be used in assessing cloud security and in the onset define the risks/ challenges to be considered, the security controls, measurement metrics and provide an iterative process for assessing cloud security and or improvement by addition of new security controls/ measures. In addition, this paper discusses the security challenges, requirements and barriers in the cloudification of microfinance bank business. This paper will assist microfinance banks in resolving the problems confronting the cloud security for cloud adoption.