A Comprehensive Survey on Security Challenges in Different Network Layers in Cloud Computing

Conducting enterprise distributed computing and providing facilities such as data storage and resource sharing, along with the provision of cheap, easy, and flexible services, have led to the increasing popularity of cloud computing. Data migration and applications outside the administrative domain of customers cause numerous security challenges in cloud computing. Investigating the security challenges, vulnerabilities, and threats in different network layers is important due to the significant role of security in cloud computing. In this paper, the existing challenges of different network layers in cloud computing will be identified, analyzed, and classified. Categorizing security challenges in cloud computing from the network layers’ perspective considering service models, cloud service providers and cloud users leads to useful methods for system designers to provide a systematic approach for a deeper understanding and then, detecting and preventing security risks. Emerging solutions and preventive methods that may potentially reduce vulnerabilities in various network layers are also introduced in this paper.