Cloud Computing in Construction: Benefits, Security, and Solutions

This report examines the adoption and impact of cloud computing within the construction industry. It begins by defining cloud computing, its essential characteristics, and various service models (IaaS, SaaS, PaaS), and deployment methods (public, private, hybrid, and community clouds). The report highlights the construction industry's increasing use of cloud technologies, emphasizing the need for collaboration and coordination in construction projects. It then provides a literature review, citing examples of construction companies that have successfully implemented cloud solutions, such as True Value Homes and Built. The benefits of cloud computing in construction are detailed, including enhanced stakeholder collaboration, increased mobility for field workers, and advanced data analytics capabilities. The report also addresses the security issues associated with cloud computing in construction and proposes solutions to mitigate threats. Overall, the report underscores the transformative potential of cloud computing in streamlining construction processes, improving efficiency, and facilitating better project management.

Cloud Computing and Construction 1
CLOUD COMPUTING AND CONSTRUCTION
By
Student Name
Course name
Course number
Date

Cloud Computing and Construction 2
Declaration
I declare that in submitting all work for this assessment I have read, understood and agree to the
content and expectations of the Assessment Declaration

Cloud Computing and Construction 3
Abstract
Cloud computing is a new innovation that provides scalable and flexible web based
infrastructure access for organizations to facilitate enterprise agility. There are many benefits
with cloud technologies adoption for organizations. Clouds are therefore increasingly being
implemented by many industries including the construction industry. Construction companies
require high levels of collaboration and coordination to achieve success. This study explores
cloud computing in the construction industry. Several examples of construction companies have
been discussed. The paper also outlines major benefits that come with adopting cloud
technologies for construction companies. However, cloud systems need to be secured form
threats and attacks. Such threats and risks have been identified and solutions to curb and
eliminate cloud them been presented.

Cloud Computing and Construction 4
Table of Contents
Declaration..................................................................................................................................................2
Abstract.......................................................................................................................................................3
Introduction.................................................................................................................................................4
Essential Cloud Characteristics...................................................................................................................4
Cloud Computing Services..........................................................................................................................5
Deploying Cloud Computing.......................................................................................................................5
Cloud Computing and Construction............................................................................................................5
Literature Review........................................................................................................................................6
Benefits of Cloud Computing in Construction.............................................................................................7
Security Issues in Cloud Computing and Construction................................................................................8
Solutions to Threats in Cloud Computing and Construction......................................................................10
Conclusion.................................................................................................................................................10
References.................................................................................................................................................11

Cloud Computing and Construction 5
Introduction
In the recent past, cloud computing has been a buzzword in the technology sector. Not only is the
technology used in the technology industry, it is also applied in many other industries including
manufacturing, production, education, health and more (Rossi, 2015). Additionally, cloud
computing is also being implemented in the construction industry to help manage construction
projects (Prasanna & Raja, 2014). It allows organizations to reduce costs by eradicating the need
to acquire physical and logical IT infrastructures (Coles, 2018). It greatly reduces the need to
purchase advanced hardware and also does away with the need for companies to have physical
space to enable servers and databases storage (Salesforce, 2015). As such, it eliminates local
machines and workers workloads by shifting it to cloud computing providers. Typically, cloud
computing is the access of computing resources such as storage, applications and development
frameworks over the Internet (Rao, et al., 2009). Such services are delivered via web interfaces
for users who pay for on-demand subscription either per hour, minute or monthly. Cloud services
are thus elastic so that users can use as little or as much as they choose and the services managed
fully by the provider. Companies that provide cloud services include Microsoft, Amazon, IBM,
Salesforce, SAP, Google, Yahoo and more (Evans, 2017). Cloud computing infrastructure is
overlaid on the Internet (Singh & Hemalatha, 2012). According to recent research, cloud
computing technology cost has been estimated to grow from over 60 billion to 167 billion by
2020 (Columbus, 2017). Among the Industries that are increasingly adopting cloud computing is
the construction industry.
Essential Cloud Characteristics
Cloud computing features the following characteristics
 Facilitates on-demand service for end-users
 Broad network access
 Collaboration and coordination
 Pooling of resources
 Accessible in any location

Cloud Computing and Construction 6
 Rapid scalability and elasticity
Cloud Computing Services
Users can access cloud computing in form of three main services which include Infrastructure as
a Service, Software as a Service and Platform as a Service (Kumar & Goudar, 2012).
Infrastructure services are used to provide rented storage structures such as servers, processing,
networks and user defined storage. Platform services provide software development APIs which
users can use to design and create customized applications. Lastly, software cloud services
allows cloud providers to offer software applications for end users who use web interfaces to
access office and work applications such as Google Calendar and Google Docs (Satyanarayana,
2012).
Deploying Cloud Computing
Cloud computing can be deployed using several models consisting of a service provider on one
hand and end users on the other end. When organizations, governments or construction industries
make a choice to adopt cloud resources, they can select from various models used for cloud
deployment (Partners, 2018). In the first instance, users can deploy a public cloud where they get
shared cloud space with other users from cloud providers. Secondly, they can also deploy a
private cloud where they pay for an exclusive cloud space that is not shared with other users.
They can utilize both a public and private cloud by deploying a hybrid cloud. Finally, they can
implement a community cloud where two or more organizations share the same cloud space if
they have a similar mission or objectives. The service side provides end users with the ability to
choose from various cloud services (Mahmood, 2011). Clients are usually presented with a web
interface after they enter correct credentials where they have the ability to access and use the
services provided by the provider. User side may be accessed through the use of devices
including desktop, laptops, smart phones, tablets and other computers. The cloud provider side
consists of service’s including service platforms, application servers, development environments,
datacenters and more. One of the responsibility of cloud providers is to always keep user data
and information secure. Service-Level Agreements (SLA) between users and cloud providers
specifies details of the cloud services including maintaining 99.9 percent service uptime

Cloud Computing and Construction 7
Cloud Computing and Construction
Although the construction industry has been very slow to adopt cloud computing, currently,
cloud technology is being implemented for construction projects. Construction projects are
usually managed by some officials including project managers, contractors, architects, builders
and technicians (Prasanna & Raja, 2014). For project success, construction teams require great
coordination and collaboration in order to communicate project details and progress effectively.
Effective communication and coordination is critical to reduce costs and enable quality
standards. Project efficiency in construction largely depends on how the project manager
communicates, assesses, estimates and clarifies the feedback to the project team in every
construction phase the project lifecycle (Kumar, 2009). Implementing cloud in the construction
industry is thus very advantageous as construction projects are constantly faced by field works,
new construction sites and change of workers. When workers are in the field, it is important for
them to be able to access company data and information on time as well as update their job tasks
for the office to see. Old-fashioned client/server architectures only allow construction workers to
do this only in office settings which limits operations, schedules and general productivity.
However, cloud computing technology allows new innovations and possibilities that enable
instant connections for all participants in a project team. Cloud technology makes possible for
construction project teams to connect to office and report field work progress from any location
with internet access in a secure way. Construction businesses are thus set to benefit from cloud
technologies including access to greater freedom and easy to access data and information
anytime, anywhere from cable offices, construction sites or customer field locations across the
world.
Literature Review
The construction industry like other industries has come to the realization that adopting cloud
computing technology can be very beneficial (Brandt & Moyers, 2013). Cloud computing
applications enable construction stakeholders to access real-time data from anywhere at any time
using devices including mobile devices even on the go which fosters more efficiency and
integration with software’s used by contractors.

Cloud Computing and Construction 8
Several studies have been carried out regarding cloud computing implementation in the
construction industry. According to a survey conducted in 2017, more than 80 percent of
contractors in construction industry plan to use or use cloud-based solutions (Sage, 2018). A
similar survey done in 2012 showed that only 16 percent believed that cloud computing was
important. The study covered about 1300 firms who were analyzed for collaboration processes
by Sage and General Contractors America (Sage, 2018). Currently, there are a number of SaaS
tools and applications for the construction industry provided by HCSS, Unearth, Plangrid, and
Procore (Unearth, 2018). One company that has successfully adopted cloud services id True
Value Homes. True Value Homes is a construction company that has implemented a cloud based
web system for its workers (Tech Brief, 2018). Before adopting the web based cloud interface to
coordinate workers, the company was doing a lot of paperwork and run 17 operational sites.
Workers only processed the paper documents while on the physical office premises. After the
cloud web interface implementation, workers can now work from anywhere including in the field
and home. They only need to login into the application using secure login credentials. The
company had 100 computers and only 100 workers could access them. With the cloud
application, approximately 500 workers can now access the system using mobile devices and
complete their tasks which has increased productivity and saves a lot of time (Tech Brief, 2018).
In Australia, another construction company is already enjoying the benefits of high level
processes collaboration through cloud applications. Built, which one of the largest privately
owned Construction Company in the country implemented Dropbox, a cloud based application to
allow file sharing between stakeholders, contractors and partners (Corner, 2017). They have been
able to streamline the company’s construction operations and are now able to share project
schedules, blueprints, design changes, up to date architectural drawings within offices and
construction sites. The file sharing software has improved efficiency and helped accelerate their
construction projects. Construction companies that have adopted cloud computing are able to
streamline and balance their operation between workers working in sites located in different
locations and the main office. Workers are able to update their tasks even when they are in the
field through remote access (Tech Brief, 2018).

Cloud Computing and Construction 9
Benefits of Cloud Computing in Construction
In today’s world, cloud computing is playing an important role especially in construction
industry. It is therefore able to bring various benefits to the industry (Xue & Xin, 2016). Cloud
computing is able to provide value-added new capabilities that traditional working
methodologies cannot provide. Thus, there are many specific construction benefits to cloud
computing like the following:
 Stakeholder Collaboration
One of the greatest benefit that adopting cloud solutions provides for construction companies is
collaboration between project leaders, contractors and clients (Tech Brief, 2018). According to
a survey done by Jasper (2012), embracing cloud services not only allows coordination and
collaboration between one construction team, it also allows collaboration between varied project
teams across the globe. The survey notes, "today’s construction professional also needs to be
highly collaborative”. Cloud applications also facilitate high levels of accountability and
transparency for all participants which allows diversity of thought hence enhancing construction.
As such, general workers, subcontractors and clients should look to the cloud at individual levels
in order to leverage capabilities offered by cloud applications to enhance coordination among
them.
 Mobility
According to a report by (Jasper, 2012), contractors are always doing their work operations
outside the office since over 90 percent of their work is done in the field. Cloud allows them to
use their own devices to enforce job tasks at anytime from anywhere (Sage Construction and
Real Estate , 2012). The survey also reported that construction companies are able to follow on
field workers in real time including project scheduling, management and progress. The
smartphone is the most commonly used device carried by workers to construction sites. It is
small in size, portable and can be used even under the ground where larger devices cannot be
sued. Laptops come in second and then tablets (Jasper, 2012). With the growth in technology, it
is imperative that modern construction enterprises adopt new innovations for more efficiency
growth and productivity. With scattered job sites and decentralized offices, lot of travelling jobs

Cloud Computing and Construction 10
and project tasks in construction, cloud services is the only innovation that can streamline
operations either locally or internationally. Cloud offers remote access to workers for continued
consistency and success in construction (Tech Brief, 2018).
 Advanced Analytics
When construction data is stored in the cloud, it becomes simple to access from any location,
compare plans or take dimensions of any of your devices. Also, many point cloud file capacities
go beyond 10 GBs. When working with consistent aerial imagery, point clouds can occupy a lot
of storage space and consume hundreds GB of storage devices. Cloud computing makes it very
easy to have data in one place for construction companies where it can be analyzed using
advanced cloud applications for insights. Without implementing a SaaS service, it is impossible
to perform such advanced analysis on construction data.
 Easy Data Sharing
Construction projects are done by big teams consisting of many stakeholders. As a result, data
sharing across all the persons is remarkably time consuming. Implementing SaaS construction
tools and applications for construction companies make information sharing easy by offering
communication and collaboration in real-time (Sage Construction and Real Estate, 2015).
 Efficient Data Storage
It is crucial to document every detail of a construction project in order to meet contractual
requirements. When construction data is stored physically, it is liable to theft, loss or damage.
Additionally, it needs huge physical servers and cannot be accessed with such hardware. Storing
data in the cloud makes sure it is secure and accessible from anywhere at any time.
 Powerful Data Processing
Cloud storage enables powerful data processing and so storing construction data in the cloud is
the only concrete way to obtain powerful construction insights. For example, drones are used to
fly over construction sites taking hundreds of pictures using detailed GPS data and coordinates.

Cloud Computing and Construction 11
Cloud storage makes it easy to use an orthography to create such images which typical
applications cannot be able to process.
Security Issues in Cloud Computing and Construction
As discussed above, cloud computing comprises of three parties which are the user or cloud
client, cloud provider and the cloud network (Turab, et al., 2013). Since cloud systems run on
the Internet, they are faced with numerous security threats at the different levels. There are
security threats that target cloud provider level, the user level and network level (Palmer, 2015).
As a consequence, such threats need to be eliminated to ensure that clouds for organizations are
consistently up and running. This section contains different threats to construction cloud
applications at different cloud architecture levels as well as measures to reduce and deal with
them.
Drawbacks to Cloud Computing in Construction
Cloud computing benefits outweigh challenges by far. Following are few studied disadvantages
that could result as a result of implementing cloud computing for construction:
 Hacking Attacks
Cloud computing provides plentiful of advantages. Therefore it draws a lot of attention to many
people including hackers (Violino, 2018). Hackers employ many attacks such wrapping attacks,
social engineering attacks, malware injection, XML signature, account hijacking, data
manipulation, Distributed Denial of Service(DDoS) attacks, wireless local area network attacks,
traffic flooding and more which pose threats to the security construction cloud computing
applications (Violino, 2018). There are millions of hacking attacks where company data have
been hacked into and their data compromised. In one instance in 2014, the police arrested a
hacker who was suspected to have participated in a hack activist group that propagated a DDoS
attack against a children hospital in Boston (Miliard, 2016). Denial of Service attacks are one of
major attacks targeting security for cloud computing models and can be used to target cloud
applications for the construction industry (Masdari & Marzie, 2016).
 Data Security

Cloud Computing and Construction 12
Cloud computing systems are always faced with insecurity from all angles. If it is not hackers
who can target construction data stored in the cloud, it could be human errors or natural disasters
such as fires, floods or hurricanes (Monjur & Mohammad, 2014). Thus, storing construction data
in the cloud increases its insecurity through either loss, theft, loss or destruction as a result of
disasters (Cloud Security Alliance, 2010). The existing contemporary cloud based services have
been found to suffer from susceptibility issues with the existence of probable security gaps that
could be abused by hackers. Security concerns are thus very critical for all cloud computing
tools, applications and mechanisms (Bisong & Rahman, 2011).
 Downtime
One other risk that cloud applications in the construction industry could suffer from is cloud
systems downtime where rented cloud systems become inaccessible. Although rare, sometimes
data centers and servers can go down. Luckily, such a challenge only exists temporary, and
application outages only last for a short time (Parann-Nissany, 2014). If downtime occurs for
construction companies, it need to be rectified within the shortest time possible. Otherwise, it can
pause operations if allowed to continue for longer periods.
 Migrating Your Data
One of the greatest challenges with cloud systems is data migration. Conflicts and challenges in
adopting SaaS application for construction companies can cause process inconsistency causing
conflicts within clients and project teams (Jain, 2012). Attempting to migrate data from one
application to another can be a huge challenge for construction based cloud applications. Data
migration is so much a huge issue as sometimes companies are unable to move on past this stage
if complications occur.
 Cost
Another limitation with adopting cloud applications for construction companies is deployment
costs. Implementing cloud technologies is costly for companies. Construction companies thus
need to invest in a lot of money which can deplete company resources. The benefit of utilizing
cloud technology also takes time before materializing. However, proper implementation pays off