Advantages and disadvantages of cloud computing services, from the employee's point of view

Cloud computing is a relatively new field, and this is likely the reason why it is still poorly understood by potential users in Romania, while also being an incompletely regulated field from a legal standpoint, as we see ourselves bound to enforce regulations that were issued in different circumstances, and which are thus showing their shortcomings. Cloud services are already a reality, and even if they are one step ahead of the legislation, a thorough analysis can identify, in most cases, solutions that cover most of the risks related to the use of a system of this type. Cloud computing is the long-awaited solution by large corporations - and not only by them - to simplify the network infrastructure required to conduct their activity and to reduce equipment and maintenance costs. Despite the widely known benefits of cloud computing, large-scale introduction of cloud computing services can generate a number of risks associated with data protection, particularly in what concerns the lack of control over personal data and insufficient information on how, where, and who is in charge of data processing. These risks should be carefully evaluated when a company intends to contract the services of a cloud computing service provider.This study aims at analysing the advantages and disadvantages of a cloud computing system from the perspective of the employee, as the party who interacts directly with this system.