Cloud Computing and Insider Threats

¶ … Cloud Computing and Insider Threats

Interpretive Framework for Research Exploring Cloud Computing and Insider Threats

"What people know and believe to be true about the world is constructed -- or made up -- as people interact with one another over time in specific social settings," as such it is clear that any interpretive framework to be used in qualitative research should incorporate a multi-faceted approach (Schram 44). Understanding any sort of social phenomenon is difficult, but when you are working within the constantly evolving technology context as well, it becomes even more difficult. This is why this current research will implement a systems-oriented approach highlighting the use of thick descriptions in order to code and categorize participant responses in a more meaningful and functional way within the larger context of the working nature of society itself.

The interpretive frameworks to be chosen for this research had to be multifaceted in order to deal with the complex issues and perceptions regarding modern cloud computing and insider threats. The first is a systems-oriented framework which focuses on a multi-faceted interpretive framework that allows the research to explore the topic at hand as it is situated in the larger society with all of its functioning parts. Such frameworks are those that allow for the "reading" of "multiple meanings and voices" (Schram 45). This is taking an objective approach to interpretative frameworks that remove any personal feelings or bias from the context of the research (Shank 81). Systems-oriented approaches focuses on "questioning participants' perceptions of the way things are" (Schram 47). It helps to understand the systems around the individual perceptions that are captured through empirical testing and data analysis. It is clear that "individuals are embedded in and affected by a social context that influences their behaviors" (Schram 50). Thus, this framework focuses on examining social structures and how these social structures influence individuals in the construction of their own belief systems. It is a holistic approach that aims to interpret all of the parts of the situation, including not only the people's beliefs about cloud computing and the dangers it may hold, but also the social structures in place that may have influenced them to believe the way they do about the topic at hand. It centers on looking at social systems and what they state regarding the notion of changing technologies that may influence a certain belief about the dangers of cloud computing and insider threats. Many people know that they are not educated enough in the complicated technologies that are seen in cloud computing and insider threats. As such, it is often a general consensus of the people to not trust such technologies they cannot clearly define. Using a systems-oriented approach will allow the current research to dive into these opinions and help uncover what societal structures are leading to this general sense of mistrust and disapproval. A system-oriented approach will allow the research to understand what factors influence people to fear the topics so much, while others tend to see cloud computing as a new wave of the future. These can lead into assumptions regarding divisions in society that can account for very different viewpoints from a holistic approach.