Information fusion in a cloud computing era: A systems-level perspective

Information fusion utilizes a collection of data sources for uncertainty reduction, coverage extension, and situation awareness. Future information fusion solutions require systems design [1], coordination with users [2], metrics of performance [3], and methods of multilevel security [4]. A current trend that can enable all of these services is cloud computing. Cloud computing as defined by NIST is: Cloud computing is a model for enabling ubiquitous, convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources (e.g., networks, servers, storage, applications, and services) that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or service provider interaction. [5] Cloud computing provides capabilities (on-demand self service, broad network access, resource pooling, rapid elasticity, and measured service) over different types of clouds (private, community, public, and hybrid).