131998User-friendly security and privacy to increase confidence in cloud-based systems.ClosedFeasibility StudiesInnovate UKCloud computing provides ubiquitous and easy access to data and information for businesses, but it is difficult for individuals and SME organisations embrace mobile working without compromising their security and privacy. Our study investigates the feasibility of designing a small-form-factor device to enhance security and privacy. Located on user's premises, the device will seamlessly encrypt files and other text before sending them to the cloud. Computations on the device will permit content search, indexing, sharing, and messaging, which are often difficult to achieve with encrypted cloud data. We have patent-pending technology which will form the basis of the device, subject to the feasibility study. This will enable SMEs and individual users to use the public cloud without having to trust the cloud provider with confidentiality of the data. The core idea of our project is to investigate commercial and technical objectives for the design of software which provides simple ways for users to increase confidence in cloud-based systems, specifically around the reliability, security, privacy and atomicity of their data and operations.