Presentation
Cloud Crimes: Understanding the Privacy Challenges
Technologies of Crime, Justice and Security
(2018)
Abstract
The “cloud” is often thought of as the newest innovation in computing. While it is an
evolutionary step from traditional decentralised static computer nodes, it is in fact not
a particularly new concept. The shape of the cloud is developing rapidly, both
conceptually and in reality; and, as the cloud grows, so does interest in the personal
and confidential information that is stored there. Some of this interest is for commercial
reasons, and some are fuelled by criminal intent. Both the good actors and the bad are
eager to make use of the cloud because it is continuously recording our every step,
creating a detailed record of valuable personal information. It is worth noting that the
“Internet of Things” shares many technological underpinnings with cloud computing.
When everything is connected, everyone is vulnerable. This is not fear-mongering but
the reality of life in the 21st Century. Individuals often provide personal information
without recognising its value, but, once it’s in the cloud, the content can be used to
create precise profiles. And, increasingly, the cloud is where the data is. That means
it will be the target of attacks by those seeking to steal identities and other valuable
information. Advances in the structure and use of the cloud create new opportunities
for harmful behaviour, which often results in “collateral damage.” The determination of
which behaviours are criminal is constantly changing in response to the norms of each
society, recognition of human rights, amendments to legal codes, and advancements
in technology. No matter how devious or harmful an action is, it cannot be prosecuted
as a crime unless laws are in place that outlines the illegality of the behaviour and the
possible sanctions involved. It is also important to realize that many of these cloud
computing issues are essentially old problems in a new setting; although it is
reasonable to assert that technology has made the problems more acute. In this article,
I discuss two critical issues in the age of the cloud: regulatory challenges and privacy
challenges. The focus is primarily on the difficulty of protecting the confidentiality,
availability, and integrity of information. The article will provide an analysis of the
technological complexities of cloud computing and associated services, and it will
support the argument that the benefits of using clouds demand that we find long-term
solutions to the inherent privacy challenges.
Keywords
- Cloud,
- Privacy,
- Cybercrimes,
- Cloudcrimes
Disciplines
Publication Date
Spring March 20, 2018
Location
University of Leeds
Citation Information
Subhajit Basu. "Cloud Crimes: Understanding the Privacy Challenges" Technologies of Crime, Justice and Security (2018) Available at: http://works.bepress.com/subhajitbasu/94/