The Cloud Computing Risk Assessment Template serves as an essential tool for organizations operating in the UAE that are planning to adopt, expand, or review their cloud computing services. This document has been developed to address the specific requirements of UAE federal laws, including Federal Decree Law No. 45 of 2021 on data protection, cybersecurity regulations, and relevant TRA guidelines. The template provides a systematic approach to evaluating cloud-related risks, covering aspects such as data sovereignty, security controls, compliance requirements, and operational considerations. It is particularly crucial given the UAE's strict regulatory environment and the increasing adoption of cloud services across various sectors. The document helps organizations maintain compliance while benefiting from cloud technologies, incorporating best practices for risk assessment and mitigation strategies aligned with UAE's legal framework.

1. 1. Executive Summary: High-level overview of the risk assessment scope, methodology, and key findings

2. 2. Assessment Context: Background information about the organization, cloud services under assessment, and business objectives

3. 3. Definitions and Terminology: Detailed definitions of technical terms, risk categories, and assessment metrics used throughout the document

4. 4. Scope of Assessment: Detailed description of cloud services, systems, and data being assessed, including service models (IaaS/PaaS/SaaS)

5. 5. Regulatory Compliance Requirements: Overview of applicable UAE laws, regulations, and compliance requirements affecting cloud services

6. 6. Risk Assessment Methodology: Detailed explanation of risk assessment approach, scoring systems, and evaluation criteria

7. 7. Cloud Service Provider Analysis: Assessment of cloud provider's security controls, certifications, and compliance status

8. 8. Data Protection and Privacy Assessment: Evaluation of data handling practices, privacy controls, and compliance with UAE data protection laws

9. 9. Technical Security Controls: Assessment of technical security measures, including access controls, encryption, and network security

10. 10. Operational Security Assessment: Evaluation of operational procedures, incident management, and business continuity measures

11. 11. Risk Register: Detailed list of identified risks, their likelihood, impact, and current control status

12. 12. Risk Treatment Plan: Proposed measures for risk mitigation, including responsibilities and timelines

13. 13. Compliance Gap Analysis: Identification of gaps between current state and required compliance levels

14. 14. Recommendations: Prioritized list of recommendations for risk mitigation and compliance improvement