A Metadata Based Storage Model for Securing Data in Cloud Environment

Abstract

IT Enterprises are migrating to the Cloud environment at a faster pace. Though Cloud Computing is quickly evolving as the next generation architecture for enterprises, there are astounding issues with this environment that will pop up as more and more applications and data move into the cloud. Security of information that is being processed by the applications and ultimately getting stored in the data centers are of big concerns of this newly evolving environment. The security of the data is a concern not only during transferring of data through the wires but also during its storage. And the architecture that is needed to secure the stored data is of much importance than while the data is getting transferred because of the fact that the data resides relatively for a long time in the storage area than in the wires. To ensure the security of the data stored in the data centers, we propose a new methodology which might not completely help in restricting a hacker to access the data but will make the data invaluable if it is extracted by a hacker but at the same time ensures the quality of the data that is being provided to its respective owner or authorized user. We propose a metadata based data segregation and storage methodology and also solutions to access this segregated data. This methodology ensures that data is invaluable during static residence and gains value only during acquisition or updation.