Secure communication using dynamic VPN provisioning in an Inter-Cloud environment

Most of the current cloud computing platforms offer Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) model, which aims to provision basic virtualised computing resources as on-demand and dynamic services. Nevertheless, a single cloud does not have limitless resources to offer to its users, hence the notion of an Inter-Cloud enviroment where a cloud can use the infrastructure resources of other clouds. However, there is no common framework in existence that allows the srevice owners to seamlessly provision even some basic services across multiple cloud service providers, albeit not due to any inherent incompatibility or proprietary nature of the foundation technologies on which these cloud platforms are built. In this paper we present a novel solution which aims to cover a gap in a subsection of this problem domain. Our solution offer a security architecture that enables service owners to provision a dynamic and service-oriented secure virtual private network on top of multiple cloud IaaS providers. It does this by leveraging the scalability, robustness and flexibility of peer- to-peer overlay techniques to eliminate the manual configuration, key management and peer churn problems encountered in setting up the secure communication channels dynamically, between different components of a typical service that is deployed on multiple clouds. We present the implementation details of our solution as well as experimental results carried out on two commercial clouds

Dynamic virtual private network provisioning from multiple cloud infrastructure service providers

The Cloud infrastructure service providers currently provision basic virtualized computing resources as on demand and dynamic services but there is no common framework in existence that allows the seamless provisioning of even these basic services across multiple cloud service providers, although this is not due to any inherent incompatibility or proprietary nature of the foundation technologies on which these cloud platforms are built. We present a solution idea which aims to provide a dynamic and service oriented provisioning of secure virtual private networks on top of multiple cloud infrastructure service providers. This solution leverages the benefits of peer to peer overlay networks, i.e., the flexibility and scalability to handle the churn of nodes joining and leaving the VPNs and can adapt the topology of the VPN as per the requirements of the applications utilizing its intercloud secure communication framework

SIUV: A Smart Car Identity Management and Usage Control System Based on Verifiable Credentials

The automotive industry is witnessing an accelerated growth in digital innovations that turn modern vehicles into digital systems. This makes the security of modern vehicles a crucial concern as they have evolved into cyber-physical and safety-critical systems. Therefore, stateful identity management and continuous access control have become a paramount requirement in smart vehicles. Indeed, several Identity and Access Management (IAM) frameworks have been proposed in the automotive field, but context awareness and continuity of control remain overlooked. To address these challenges, we present SIUV: a stateful smart-car IAM that is based on Usage Control (UCON) and Verifiable Credentials (VCs). SIUV uses Attribute Based Access Control (ABAC) policies to issue privileges to subjects (i.e. drivers or applications) according to their credentials and claims. The issued privileges are then used to decide whether to grant or deny access to in-car resources. Furthermore, the system continuously monitors subject claims, resource attributes and environmental conditions (e.g. location or time). Hence, if a change occurs, the system re-evaluates policies and updates or revokes issued privileges and usage decisions accordingly. We describe the architecture of SIUV, discuss the evaluation results, and define future directions

Chemokine CXCL-1 Expression in the Subretinal Fluid during Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment

Purpose: To investigate the expression of chemokine CXCL-1 in the subretinal fluid (SRF) during rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) and identify potential correlations with number of quadrants involved and duration of the detachment. Methods and Results: Inclusion criteria were patients aged 18 years or older and primary RRD possibly complicated by proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). CXCL-1 levels were measured in 36 SRF samples from 36 RRD patients. Mean CXCL-1 levels (102 +/- 37 pg/mL) were significantly higher (p = 0.050) compared to controls. CXCL-1 levels correlated significantly with age (p = 0.001) and RRD duration (p = 0.002). Maximum CXCL-1 levels coincided with total RRD, 29- to 60-day duration and PVR grade C. Conclusions: The findings of this study may contribute to increased understanding regarding the role of CXCL-1 during the onset and progression of the wound healing process in the context of RRD and PVR

Interleukin-6 and the matrix metalloproteinase response in the vitreous during proliferative vitreoretinopathy

Purpose: To investigate the levels of IL-6 in the vitreous of patients with RRD complicated with PVR and correlate the IL-6 levels with matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1,-2,-3,-8,-9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP)-1 with respect to RRD extent, duration and PVR grade. Design: Cohort study. Participants: Twenty-eight vitreous samples from 28 eyes of 28 patients with RRD complicated with PVR. Methods: Institutional study. Twenty-eight vitreous samples from 28 eyes of 28 patients with RRD complicated with PVR were collected during pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and were compared to vitreous control samples. IL-6. MMP-1,-3,-8 and TIMP-1 levels were measured using ELISA while enzymatic activity of MMP-2, and -9 was determined employing gelatin zymography. Results: Protein IL-6 (p = 0.030), MMP-1 (p = 0.003), MMP-3 (p = 0.003), TIMP-1 (p = 0.001) levels as well as enzymatic activity of proMMP-9 (p = 0.013), MMP-9 (p = 0.017) and proMMP-2 (p = 0.010), were significantly increased in PVR patients as compared to controls. IL-6 levels correlated with MMP-1 (p = 0.002), proMMP-2 (p = 0.006), MMP-3 (p = 0.001) and TIMP-1 (p = 0.006). Regression analysis revealed positive correlations between IL-6 and all MMPs and TIMP-1. Conclusions: Taking into account the previously established effect of interleukins in MMP activity, the findings of this study suggest a role of IL-6 in MMP stimulation during PVR development. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved