An authorization model for query execution in the cloud

We present a novel approach for the specification and enforcement of authorizations that enables controlled data sharing for collaborative queries in the cloud. Data authorities can establish authorizations regulating access to their data distinguishing three visibility levels (no visibility, encrypted visibility, and plaintext visibility). Authorizations are enforced accounting for the information content carried in the computation to ensure no information is improperly leaked and adjusting visibility of data on-the-fly. Assignment of operations to subjects takes into consideration the cost of operation execution as well as of the encryption/decryption operations needed to make the assignment authorized. Our approach enables users and data authorities to fully enjoy the benefits and economic savings of the competitive open cloud market, while maintaining control over data.