Table 1 Actors in cloud computing [37]

Cloud consumer

Any individual person or organization that has a business relationship with cloud providers and consumes available services

Cloud provider

Any individual entity or organization which is responsible for making services available and providing computing resources to cloud consumers

Cloud broker

An IT entity that provides an entry for managing performance and QoS of cloud computing services. In addition, it helps cloud providers and consumers with management of service negotiations

Cloud auditor

A party that can provide an independent evaluation of cloud services provided by cloud providers in terms of performance, security and privacy impact, information system operations and etc. in the cloud environments

Cloud carrier

An intermediary party that provides access and connectivity to consumers through any access devices such as networks. Cloud carrier transports services from a cloud provider to cloud consumers