Toward Cloud Computing: Security and Performance

International Journal on Cloud Computing: Services and Architecture (IJCCSA) ,Vol. 5,No. 5/6, December 2015
DOI : 10.5121/ijccsa.2015.5602 17
TOWARD CLOUD COMPUTING: SECURITY AND
PERFORMANCE
Nabeel Zanoon
Department of applied science, Al- Balqa' Applied University, Jordan, Amman
ABSTRACT
Security and performance are basic requirements for any system. They are considered the criteria for the
measurement of any progress in a security system. Security is an indicator that affects the level of
performance through the threats that influence the performance of parts of the cloud during the rendering
of services. Both security and performance demonstrate the efficiency of cloud computing which indicates
that the performance and security are measurements for the extent of the development of the cloud. In this
paper, the relationship between performance and security will be examined to know the extent of their
impact on the progress of cloud computing.
KEYWORDS
Cloud Computing, Security and Performance, SLA, Distributed computing
1. INTRODUCTION
Cloud computing is a new technology in the world of information as the development of
distributed computing derives from parallel computing, network computing and distributed
databases [1]. If we want to analyze the term computerized networks, we say that they are a group
of computers distributed to geographical areas and are connected together by a mediator.
However, computerized networks are a term which indicates that the devices are distributed
individually and are connected through the exchange of messages [2]. Distributed computing is a
technology which links the devices together individually across geographical areas that constitute
a single environment and share the resource. All the devices are connected together to implement
several tasks [3.] The cloud develops with the progress of the public Internet, because the cloud
capabilities are limited in order to provide security on the basis of performance. Most of the
companies that seek to take advantage of cloud services follow the swiftness policy on the one
hand, and security and performance on the other hand, for it renounces its security through
contact on public cloud services in which case default resources are obtained, and this exposes
the enterprise content and data to most of the Internet vulnerabilities [4]. Security and privacy
constitute a tremendous agility in the development of the cloud. Security and privacy are to be
provided by cloud service providers as well as the reliability, availability, and performance [5].
For the companies that specialize in information technology, which provide the cloud services,
the availability of performance and security are the challenges when adopting cloud computing
by customers to make use of the services. The violation of security constitutes a risk of data loss,
and also the level of performance could weaken because of limited bandwidth, disk space,
memory, and the CPU cycle and network connection latency. Therefore, the level of performance
in the cloud services is a factor in users' acceptance to the cloud [6].
The progress in the services that are provided through the cloud computing networks must be
characterized by the high level of performance and security. The raising of the level of

18
performance may be at the expense of the level of security where there is a relationship between
them and this relationship has an influence on the progress and development of the cloud
computing.
2. CLOUD COMPUTING
The cloud computing offers resource services in order to provide space for storage. The Email is
an example that shows the concept of cloud computing where you use resources to store your
messages, and these resources are not on your PC but on a resource somewhere else unknown to
the user [7]. The cloud spreads on several levels, including the private, local, public and mixed,
while the service models include (PAAS), (IAAS) and (SAAS) [8].
2.1 CHARACTERISTICS OF CLOUD COMPUTING
The mechanism of action of cloud computing is on-demand self-service. One can access the
cloud through multiple devices such as cellular’s, computers and workstations, where resource
pooling is conducted by using a multi-tenant model, though the users cannot know where the
available resources are. The cloud provides resources in a flexible and fast manner in line with
consumer demand and while providing resources the cloud tracks the service measurement. The
controlled cloud computing resources can be measured, and transparency can be provided for
both the service provider and the consumer of the service used. Cloud computing services use
measurement capabilities that enable control and optimal use of resources [9].
3. THE PERFORMANCE OF CLOUD COMPUTING
Performance is an outlet for any system. A definition of performance has been proposed based on
the ISO 25010 scale where the performance of cloud computing system is determined by
analyzing the properties involved in the performance of an effective and reliable service to meet
the needs mentioned under and within the maximum transaction system boundary conditions.
Measures and standards are applied to the three elements of users, suppliers and supervisors.
Figure (1) shows that each output system is based on several possibilities, that is, the system may
provide a service correctly or incorrectly, or the service may be altogether rejected and this
affects the performance of the system [10].
Figure 1. Computerized computing system outputs
Cloud computing is one of the distributed systems which deals with dispersed resources and is
based on processing big size data and this need called for the performance control and analysis

19
techniques to develop them, that is to say cloud control is important for both users and service
providers. It provides information and indicators of performance, where that performance level
affects the adoption of cloud services by users [11]. Performance is among the advantages that
should be available in the cloud services because performance has an impact on users and service
providers. To evaluate performance, we must take into account several criteria to evaluate the
factors that affect the performance of cloud computing, including the average response per unit
time and the average waiting time per unit time and others [12] in the properties of performance
measures of the cloud.
 (SaaS) Evaluation is made by users directly depending on the performance measures, the
speed of response, reliability of technical services and availability.
 (PaaS) Evaluation is made by users directly or indirectly depending on the performance
measures in response to technicality, productivity, reliability, technical service and
middleware capability.
 (IaaS) The performance measures are determined depending on the infrastructure
performance, capacity, reliability, availability, and scalability [13].
3.1 PERFORMANCE METRICS
There are several options for the measures of performance of the cloud computing by service
providers: delay in service and accuracy. The performance and evaluation are measured
depending on the responsiveness time, productivity, and timing in implementing tasks, that is,
processing tasks in the appropriate period. There are other measures as in Table 1.
Table 1. The future of service performance in the cloud [14]
Features Description Metrics
Communication
Exchange data between internal
service or external consumer in
cloud
 Packet loss Frequency
 Connection on Error Rate
 MPI Transfer bit/Byte Speed
Computation
The Computing Data or Task
processing in the cloud systems
 CPU load (%)
 Benchmark OP(FLOP) Rate
 Instance Efficiency (% CPU Peak)
Memory
Designed for rapid use of
temporarily store information that
may be obtained from slow–
access hard disk drive
 Mean Hit Time(s)
 Memory bit /Byte speed
(MB/s,GB/s)
 Random Memory Update Rate
 Response Time (ms)
Time
Project completion within time
while maintaining quality is very
important for the success of
project
 Computation time
 Communication time
The (SLA) agreement restricts customers and cloud service providers. The level of service or
quality of service (QOS) must be taken into account. The service performance is characterized by
the response time, productivity, availability, and security [15]. The Quality of Service (QoS) in
the cloud indicates the level of performance and reliability, despite the fact that the characteristics
of quality of service received attention before the evolution of cloud computing, performance,
homogeneity and other standards [16]. Speed is one of the (QoS) features that have been
designated by (EG 202 009-1). It is the performance standard which represents the time interval

20
necessary to perform a function or average at which the function and security are achieved, that
is, any service capability to ensure the confidentiality of a piece of information you worked with,
exchanged or stored, the privacy of communications, authenticity and safety of exchanged or
stored information, as well as the protection of the user and his communication means against any
kind of threat, in addition to other qualities of accuracy, reliability, flexibility and ease of use
[17]. There are several risks and threats facing users when they make use of the cloud services.
They are increasing in the case when the service provider or resources exist outside the regional
scope, that is, they are under different laws. In relation to the adoption of the cloud in higher
education, there are some challenges such as security, performance, efficiency and control [18].
Figure (2) shows that the (IDC) analysis considers performance as the second largest case after
security in the cloud environment. The performance metrics is based on applications capabilities,
where the performance weakens due to a lack of resources, disk space, limited bandwidth, low
CPU speed, memory, and network connections [18].
Figure 2. Rate of issues and challenges attributed to the cloud in the application form
4. SECURITY IN CLOUD COMPUTING
Security in the cloud computing is a highly sensitive and important factor, because the cloud
deals with sensitive and confidential data in the cloud data centers. Therefore, protection and
integrity of the data is the duty of providers of cloud services. Privacy and the security of cloud
computing depend on the cloud service provider to put strong security controls and the policy of
sound privacy to protect the data of its customers. This is because customers need confidence and
transparency in terms of performance and security [19]. The cloud providers offer services to
several organizations located in the same network, which grants access to the data without
permission by another organization working in the same field of cloud data centers. In addition to
that, physical security Judgments from the cloud service provider are regarded a source of
concern [20].
The data protection in the cloud is an important security issue and should be taken into account in
this issue in terms of the way they are accessed, stored, audit requirements and the cost of data

21
breaches [21]. Privacy is one of the issues of security in the cloud, and so specialists in the
development of the security services and practices of privacy in cloud services are a must. An
effective evaluation strategy which covers data protection, compliance, privacy, and identity
management, secure operations, and other relevant legal issues must be put forward [22]. There
are concerns about privacy and security associated with the breach of privacy, access and use of
information stored in the cloud for malicious purposes, and this is up to organizations that
provide the services [23].
The cloud computing determines the characteristics and performance metrics between providers
and customers through Service Level Agreements (SLAs), which are concerned with the legal
basis for the services and the level of quality of the service [24]. Non-compliance with Service
Level Agreement (SLA) by this cloud service providers leads to the slow rate of adoption and to a
decline in the level of performance, in addition to concerns about the security and confidentiality
of the data stored in the cloud, as well as privacy [25]. The Service Level Agreements are
describe different measure scales on the basis of Quality of Service (QoS) [26]. The cloud
proceeds, but this progress is confronted by obstacles in the field of Quality of Service (QoS)
which is an indicator of the levels of performance, reliability, and availability of security [27].
Performance is wide; it includes reliability, energy efficiency and expansion. The cloud
computing environments are also wide and combine multiple providers and users resources. Here,
there is the security factor affecting the performance and through the security impact on the
network infrastructure as, for example, is the case with the DDoS attacks which have a broad
impact on network performance. If this risk or any risks that threaten the cloud environment
itself, they will be a major concern for users and providers [28]. These attacks are harmful to the
computing. Inoculating SQL attack allows the attacker access to the database. Also, in flood
attacks the attacker sends a request for resources to the cloud so quickly that he takes advantage
of the ability of any inaccessible resources by ordinary users and here many attacks that threaten
the security of the cloud happen [29]. Security is an important priority to the cloud customers.
The decision to make use of cloud services will be based on the level of confidentiality, integrity,
flexibility, and security services available, and this is an indication to the competition among the
service providers that leads to the development of cloud computing [30].
There are some problems facing the cloud computing users, in terms of access to the data through
the Internet; any weakness in the level of security in the cloud is threatening the confidentiality of
users data stored. Moreover, the quality of the connection affects the level of performance in the
delivery of services, the high cost of private computerized computing compared with public and
mixed sectors, at the expense of quality, performance and security [31].
5. THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PERFORMANCE AND SECURITY
The developing scale in any computerized system is based on the level of performance of the
system, but there is a relationship between security and performance. Performance is an indicator
to speed of implementation and exchange of data while security indicates the protection from
threats. Both depend on the components of the system software and hardware on the one hand,
and on the user and service provider on the other hand. Security is considered one of efficiency
standards where efficiency is the main indicator of the level of performance, while the
performance is an auxiliary element in the protection of the system. As a corollary, the
relationship between performance and security is complementary to each and is a key factor to
the development of the system.
Cloud computing provides services to users through service providers; the user submits a service
request, where the service provider responds by providing the service. However, this process is
based on an agreement between the two parties, in the light of which contact and making use are

22
made. This agreement is called Service Level Agreement (SLA). Moreover, there are other
inevitable issues between the user and the service provider, such as security and performance of
the service which are factors that affect the acceptance of the user to make use of cloud services.
Figure 3. The relationship between performance and security in the cloud
Figure 3 shows the relationship between security and performance in the cloud. Security and
performance are prerequisites for the user, and therefore the service provider is obliged to make it
available to the user, while the performance on the part of the user is not obligatory because the
user does not know where the data is stored and has no control over the data. Nevertheless,
security is imperative to the user where the user represents a security breach in the cloud in case
he did not the follow security policy, that is, the user may cause the low level of security and this
leads to a low level performance of services. Also, if the low level of security affects
performance, and according to the performance scale, the performance will influence the security
on the part of the service provider.
In light of this we conclude that security and performance represent challenges in the cloud
because each is a challenge to the other. Better security means better and better performance is
better security which means that the relationship is a positive one. Performance and security for
the service are a requirement at the user and provider level, while the data are on the provider and
agreement level. This is because the user does not known the storage place and does not have
control over the data as in Figure (4)

23
Figure 4. The level of impact between performance and security in cloud computing
6. CONCLUSION
The relationship between performance and security is a positive one. Security affects
performance and on the other hand, the level of performance by the user, the provider and the
components of the cloud affect the security. They both affect the customer's confidence in the
adoption of the cloud, and this is an indicator that affects the development and progression of the
cloud and the light of this, the level of security and performance is considered a challenge and an
obstacle to the progress and development of cloud computing .
7. FURTHER RESEARCH
The cloud computing is progressing but there are several factors and challenges to the user
adoption of the cloud computing technology. Therefore, Technology Acceptance Model (TAM)
will be taken as a model in the creation of the research model to show the user's adoption of cloud
computing as in Figure (5). Performance and security are regarded as basic factors and challenges
that affect the user's adoption of cloud computing technology.
H1: Security affects performance which depends on a high or low security level.
The impact of the level of security by the user and the provider; in case of high-level security, this
leads to raise the level of performance of the cloud computing, where the security level depends
on external factors, including the security risks, the confidentiality of data, service level
agreement and physical security.
H2: The level of performance by the service provider affects the level of security.
in case of high-level performance, this leads to the lifting the security level of the cloud
computing, where that performance level depends on external factors such as security threats,
data confidentiality, laws and regulations, service level agreement, and communication line .

24
Security is regarded a major challenge in adopting cloud computing; it is the main barrier that
prevents companies from the adoption of cloud computing. In fact, a cloud with unsafe
infrastructure can lead to problems between the adopter and specialists such as customers,
partners, providers or even the government [32]. The level of service in the cloud computing is
important because the service level scale is based on the performance level. If the level of
performance is high, it is a sign to the speed and quality of service, leading to user satisfaction
and adoption of the cloud to make use of its electronic service [33].
Figure 5. Research model
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AUTHOR
Dr. Nabeel Mohammed Zanoon, He received his PhD in Computer Systems
Engineering, from South West State University, Kursk, Russia, in 2011. He is faculty
member with Al-Balqa’ Applied University since 2011; where he is currently Assistant
professor and Head of the Department of Applied Sciences as well as Director of the
ICDL Computer Centre and Cisco Academy Branch of Aqaba University College. He
has published several research in several areas, Security of E-Banking, Algorithm
Scheduling in Grid and Cloud, Meta-Grammar, Hardware and Architecture , Fiber
optical , Mobile Ad Hoc Networks.

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