Abstract: Techniques for discovering and evaluating services available via a cloud infrastructure. In one example, a method comprises the following steps. A service discovery request is sent to a plurality of service providers in a cloud computing system. One or more service discovery responses are received from one or more of the plurality of service providers for one or more proposed services. A weighted appropriateness score is computed for each of the proposed services based on each service discovery response. At least one of the proposed services is automatically engaged based on the weighted appropriateness scores.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for performing a time-based analysis on data streams in a computing network. For example, a method includes the following steps. Two or more data streams are accessed. The two or more data streams can be associated with two or more source devices, two or more application programs, or combinations thereof. A time-based analysis is performed on the two or more data streams. The time-based analysis determines whether or not a correlation exists between portions of the two or more data streams.

Abstract: Information processing techniques for managing user discovery requests in a computing system such as a socially-aware data storage system. In one example, a method comprises the following steps. A user discovery request is sent from a first client to a socially-aware data storage system. The user discovery request comprises a social score computed for the first client. A list of other clients associated with the socially-aware data storage system is received at the first client from the socially-aware data storage system. The list of other clients is based on the social score computed for the first client.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for tracking locations of data objects in a computing network. In one example, a method comprises the following steps. Contextual data is received. The contextual data is associated with a given data object and transmitted from one or more computing devices. The one or more computing devices created the given data object and/or accessed the given data object. At least a portion of the received contextual data is used to track one or more locations of the given data object. A chain of custody report and/or a provenance report may be generated from the one or more tracked locations of the given data object. Also, a policy can be applied.