# Centralized vs. Decentralized Cloud Computing in Healthcare
## 8 Conclusions  
This study presented an in-depth analysis of the differences between centralized and decentralized cloud computing architectures in the specific context of healthcare and HIE systems. Centralized cloud computing provides advantages, including integration, efficiency, and simplicity. It also provides quick access to data since all data are stored at a single centralized server in the cloud. However, this has the aspect of having a single point of failure and becomes a subject of data privacy/security if the central repository is an issue. On the other hand, decentralized cloud computing involves a collection of nodes and is considered more secure and private compared to centralized cloud computing by avoiding a single point of failure. However, the decentralized cloud computing architectural strategy leads to integration issues and increased operational expenses because of managing several geographically dispersed data centers. This paper also compares the pros and cons of adopting centralized or decentralized cloud computing architecture systems for the implementation of HIE systems. Centralized cloud computing is convenient and easy to use, while decentralized cloud computing ensures the security of patient's sensitive information. Healthcare organizations must consider various performance, data privacy, and security aspects, as well as cost requirements, before choosing the right cloud architecture for their HIE needs. In this regard, the analysis offers useful help to healthcare practitioners in making appropriate decisions about utilizing cloud computing technologies. Such approaches should enhance the security, efficiency, and effectiveness of the respective HIE systems, which, in turn, should lead to the enhancement of patient care coordination, as well as the outcomes. The findings provided in this analysis will also be useful for designing further research studies to improve the solutions associated with cloud-based HIE. These solutions should be designed to provide advantages similar to those of the centralized and decentralized models.  
Conceptualization, M.A. and S.S. ([PERSON]); methodology, M.A.; software, M.A.; validation, M.A., W.A. and S.S. ([PERSON]); formal analysis, M.A.; investigation, M.A., W.A., S.S. ([PERSON]), S.S. ([PERSON]); resources, M.A.; data curation, M.A.; writing--original draft preparation, M.A.; writing--review and editing, W.A., S.S. ([PERSON]), and S.S. ([PERSON]); visualization, M.A.; supervision, W.A., S.S. ([PERSON]) and S.S. ([PERSON]); project administration, W.A., S.S. ([PERSON]) and S.S. ([PERSON]); funding acquisition, W.A. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.  
This Project was funded by the Deanship of Scientific Research (DSR) at King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, under grant no. J: 76-612-1442.  
Not applicable.  
The data presented in this study are available on request from the corresponding author. The data are not publicly available due to privacy.  
The authors acknowledge with thanks to DSR technical and financial support.  
The authors declare no conflict of interest.