Preserving Data Privacy in Cloud Computing Environment using Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC)

Abstract

The proliferation of cloud computing technologies has fundamentally transformed the way organizations manage and store sensitive data. However, this transition presents significant challenges related to data privacy and security, necessitating the adoption of advanced cryptographic solutions. This paper explored the efficacy of Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) as a robust cryptographic mechanism for preserving data privacy within cloud settings. The ECC was distinguished by its capacity to deliver high levels of security with substantially smaller key sizes, thereby mitigating the computational overhead often associated with traditional cryptographic methods. The paper presents an in-depth analysis of the proposed ECC framework, detailing the processes of key generation, public-private key exchanges, and the encryptiondecryption mechanisms employed. Performance evaluations reveal that ECC effectively balances security and efficiency: for payloads of 180, 300, and 500 bytes, encryption times were recorded at 0.2 ms, 0.3 ms, and 0.6 ms, while decryption times were 0.3 ms, 0.5 ms, and 0.8 ms, respectively. These findings affirm ECC's suitability for real-world applications within resource-constrained cloud computing environments, where rapid data processing and stringent security measures are imperative. Also, this paper highlights ECC as a critical component in addressing the complexities of data privacy in cloud environments, ensuring compliance with regulatory frameworks and fostering enhanced user trust in cloud services.