It is recognized generally that cloud computing is clearly one of today’s most exciting technology areas due to its cost-efficiency and flexibility. However, the vision of this Information Technology (IT) procurement model will be compromised if there is no proper check on the security implications and challenges that surround the delivery model of cloud computing. This paper looked at some security challenges facing cloud computing and proposed a hybrid model for data security in cloud computing. The model combines a novel spectral graph theoretic approach to user identification using hand geometry and the block-level deduplication with encrypted data model called ClouDedup. The hybrid model has two authentication layers to ensure that data is not being abused or leaked. The results indicate that hybrid of these models form greater efficiency of security solution in cloud computing.

Cloud computing can be compared to early proliferation of electricity, where homes, businesses and towns find it difficult to produce or rely on their source of power. Hence, they connect to a greater power grid usually supported by power utilities. With this type of utility connection, there has been tremendous reduction in both time and cost, and greater access to and more availability of power (Eva, 2010). The National Institute of Standard and Technology (NIST) defined cloud computing as a model for enabling convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or service provider interaction (Micheal, 2010). With cloud computing, consumers and businesses use applications without installation and can access their personal files at any computer with Internet access (Lohr, 2007). This innovation represents a significant opportunity for service providers and enterprises (Eva, 2010). The same way homes and businesses rely on power grid, cloud computing has helped enterprise to save cost, increase flexibility and choice for computing resources through on-premise infrastructure (Eva, 2010).

There is no doubt today that cloud computing is one of the most enticing technologies due to its cost-efficiency and flexibility. Richard et al. (2009) reported that about fourteen (14) largest software companies (by market capitalization today) operate almost entirely on cloud. Paradigm shift to cloud computing has affected some subcategories in computer industry. A few among them are Internet Service Providers (ISPs), hardware manufacturers and to a greater extent, software companies (Harte- Hanks, 2011). While it will be difficult to predict how Internet companies will be affected, it is relatively easy to see how the main software and hardware companies are affected by this shift (Harte-Hanks, 2011).

Information Technology Journal, Cloud computing, Eigenvalues, Eigenvectors, Deduplication, ClouDedup, Security, Hybrid Model, Data Security, Cloud.