  Cloud computing is revolutionising the way software services are procured and
used by Government organizations and SMEs. Quantitative risk assessment of
Cloud services is complex and undermined by specific security concerns
regarding data confidentiality, integrity and availability. This study explores
how the gap between the quantitative risk assessment and the perception of the
risk can produce a bias in the decision-making process about Cloud computing
adoption. The risk perception of experts in Cloud computing (N=37) and
laypeople (N=81) about ten Cloud computing services was investigated using the
psychometric paradigm. Results suggest that the risk perception of Cloud
services can be represented by two components, called dread risk and unknown
risk, which may explain up to 46% of the variance. Other factors influencing
the risk perception were perceived benefits, trust in regulatory authorities
and technology attitude. This study suggests some implications that could
support Government and non-Government organizations in their strategies for
Cloud computing adoption.
