Which of the following is considered a perceived risk of cloud computing?

Data security is considered a perceived risk of cloud computing because it directly relates to users' concerns about the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of their sensitive information when stored off-premises in the cloud. Organizations often worry about unauthorized access, data breaches, and compliance with regulatory requirements. These concerns can lead to hesitation in adopting cloud solutions, as businesses must trust cloud service providers to adequately protect their data.

While service availability, cost efficiency, and vendor lock-in are important considerations in cloud computing, they do not evoke the same level of apprehension as data security. Service availability focuses on the uptime and reliability of cloud services, cost efficiency deals with the financial implications of using cloud solutions, and vendor lock-in refers to the difficulty of migrating to another provider or platform. These factors do not typically invoke the same level of fear or anxiety as the potential for data compromise does, making data security a more prominent perceived risk in the cloud environment.