Cloud trends and security challenges

The concept of “cloud” becomes a common metaphor for an Internet accessible infrastructure, e.g. data storage and computing hardware, which is hidden from users. Cloud computing makes data truly mobile and a user can simply access a chosen cloud with any internet accessible device. In cloud computing, IT-related capabilities are provided as services, accessible without requiring detailed knowledge of the underlying technologies. Many mature technologies are used as components in enabling cloud computing, while there still exists many challenges for further development of cloud services and infrastructures. This paper gives an overview of cloud computing and discusses related security challenges.