Enhanced Data Privacy and Security in Cloud Storage: A Robust Authentication Scheme for Cyber-Physical-Social Systems

Cloud storage services are increasingly being adopted by organizations for managing and storing data due to their cost-effectiveness and resource scalability. However, the rise in cloud usage brings concerns regarding data security and user authentication, particularly in Cyber-Physical-Social Systems (CPSS). According to recent reports, over 60% of cloud users experience data breaches, and more than 30% are concerned about unauthorized access to personal data. Existing cloud security mechanisms such as encryption often fall short in ensuring user anonymity and preventing impersonation attacks. To address these gaps, the proposed paper introduces a robust authentication scheme aimed at enhancing data privacy and security in cloud storage. The core innovations lie in two critical aspects: user anonymity and protection against user/cloud impersonation attacks. User identities, including usernames and biometric data, are anonymized through hashing, ensuring that cloud servers cannot track or misuse this information. Additionally, sessions are dynamically created and terminated during login/logout, preventing the cloud server from logging activities or accessing sensitive data. The paper outlines a comprehensive approach involving user registration, login verification, file upload and download, and session management, along with the application of advanced encryption techniques like Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) and CHACHA. The computation performance of these algorithms is also evaluated through a comparison graph, highlighting their efficiency. The novel contributions enhance data security while ensuring seamless cloud data access and sharing.