Enhancing Security and Privacy in Distributed Cloud Environments: A Review of Protocols and Mechanisms

As cloud computing becomes increasingly integral to data management and services, security and privacy concerns remain paramount. This article presents a comprehensive review of the current protocols and mechanisms designed to fortify security and privacy in distributed cloud environments. It synthesizes contributions from various research works, each proposing innovative solutions to address these challenges. Among these are a two-layer cryptographic algorithm that combines genetic techniques with logical-mathematical functions, enhancing encryption beyond traditional methods, and a novel symmetric-key block cipher that increases encryption complexity while maintaining flexibility. The paper also discusses machine learning applications for threat detection, the role of blockchain in trust management, and the importance of multi-cloud strategies to secure big data. Through comparative analyses, the reviewed methodologies show promising advancements in encryption, data integrity, and resource management, suggesting a robust framework for tackling the evolving landscape of cyber threats. The article underscores the need for continuous innovation and research to navigate the dynamic domain of cloud security, aiming for a future where data security and privacy are not just reactive safeguards but proactive measures embedded in the fabric of cloud computing.