The rapid adoption of cloud computing platforms by working professionals in the Mawal region necessitates a systematic understanding of their perceptions regarding data security and privacy. This study addresses the knowledge gap concerning how professionals in a semi-urban context perceive, trust, and respond to cloud-related data risks. A quantitative descriptive research design was employed, utilizing a structured, survey-based questionnaire administered to I00 working professionals across diverse sectors in the Mawal region. The findings indicate a high rate of cloud service adoption (85% of respondents) but reveal a moderate level of security awareness (Mean Score 3.6/5). Users exhibit a higher mean score for privacy concern (3.8/5) than for trust in cloud service providers (3.1/5). A positive correlation was established between user awareness and trust, confirming that higher awareness leads to greater confidence in providers (Hypothesis H1). Furthermore, the study confirmed that professionals in IT-related fields show higher awareness than non-technical users (Hypothesis H2), and prior experience with data breaches increases security concern (Hypothesis H3). In conclusion, while cloud usage is widespread, there is a clear need to bridge the gap between perceived risk and technical knowledge. The study proposes a Cloud Security Awareness and Training Framework (CSATF) to encourage organizations to implement clear security policies and mandatory training sessions, thereby enhancing user awareness, promoting safer practices, and building greater trust in cloud technology.
Mr. Nikhil Prakash Khandbhor (Sat,) studied this question.