FogProtect: Protecting Sensitive Data in the Computing Continuum

Abstract

Computing resources are being moved towards the edge of the network, in the form of so-called fog nodes, providing benefits in terms of reduced latency, increased processing speed, data locality, and energy savings. Data produced in end devices like smartphones, sensors or IoT devices can be stored, processed and analysed across a continuum of computing resources, from end devices via fog nodes to cloud services. Data related to critical domains, such as healthcare, public surveillance or home automation, requires tailored data protection mechanisms, spanning the whole computing continuum.

The FogProtect project aims to provide novel advanced technologies and methodologies to ensure end-to-end protection of such sensitive data. Our generic solutions facilitate the provisioning and usage of applications and services in the computing continuum, by combining four technology innovations: (1) secure data container technology for data portability and mobility, (2) data-protection-aware adaptive service and resource management, (3) advanced data protection policy management, (4) dynamic data protection risk management models and tools.

The applicability and impact of those solutions is evaluated and demonstrated on three complementary real-world use cases in the area of (1) smart cities, (2) smart manufacturing, and (3) smart media.