Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) is an emerging architecture that extends cloud computing services to the edge of networks, specifically to mobile base stations. It is a promising edge technology that can be applied to mobile, wireless, and wireline scenarios using software and hardware platforms located at the network edge near end users. MEC provides seamless integration of multiple application service providers and vendors towards mobile subscribers, enterprises, and other vertical segments. It is an important component in the proposed 5G architecture that supports a variety of innovative applications and services requiring ultra-low latency. However, there are challenges in the MEC ecosystem. This thesis addresses the importance and challenges of MEC deployment, the impact of integrating MEC with traditional mobile and cloud networks, and presents a survey of MEC. Readers will gain an overview of MEC, including its definition, advantages, architectures, and applications. The thesis also discusses related research and future directions, as well as security and privacy issues and their possible solutions. The thesis is dedicated to the author's late parents and siblings, who provided support and guidance. The author also acknowledges their supervisors and other resources that contributed to the thesis. The thesis is organized into chapters covering background and related surveys, applications and emerging scenarios, research infrastructures, security and privacy issues, open research problems, discussions and future works, and conclusions. MEC is defined as providing IT services and cloud computing capabilities at the edge of the mobile network, within the Radio Access Network (RAN), and in close proximity to mobile subscribers. MEC offers cloud computing capabilities within the RAN, allowing direct mobile traffic between the core network and end user, instead of connecting the user directly to the nearest cloud service-enabled edge network. Deploying MEC at the base station enhances computation, avoids bottlenecks, and system failure. MEC is a layer between cloud and mobile devices, forming a three-layer hierarchy: cloud, MEC, and mobile devices. MEC is a promising edge technology that improves user experience by providing high bandwidth and low latency. MEC is enabled by network functions virtualization, software-defined networks, and fifth-generation wireless networks. MEC is also enabled by live video streaming and the Internet of Things. MEC has several applications, including augmented reality, content delivery and caching, healthcare, mobile big data analytics, connected vehicles, video analytics, smart grids, wireless sensor and actuator networks, and smart building control. MEC is also used in ocean monitoring. MEC has several research efforts, including low latency, computational offloading, storage, and energy efficiency. MEC is a key enabler for various applications and scenarios, and has potential for future research and development.Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) is an emerging architecture that extends cloud computing services to the edge of networks, specifically to mobile base stations. It is a promising edge technology that can be applied to mobile, wireless, and wireline scenarios using software and hardware platforms located at the network edge near end users. MEC provides seamless integration of multiple application service providers and vendors towards mobile subscribers, enterprises, and other vertical segments. It is an important component in the proposed 5G architecture that supports a variety of innovative applications and services requiring ultra-low latency. However, there are challenges in the MEC ecosystem. This thesis addresses the importance and challenges of MEC deployment, the impact of integrating MEC with traditional mobile and cloud networks, and presents a survey of MEC. Readers will gain an overview of MEC, including its definition, advantages, architectures, and applications. The thesis also discusses related research and future directions, as well as security and privacy issues and their possible solutions. The thesis is dedicated to the author's late parents and siblings, who provided support and guidance. The author also acknowledges their supervisors and other resources that contributed to the thesis. The thesis is organized into chapters covering background and related surveys, applications and emerging scenarios, research infrastructures, security and privacy issues, open research problems, discussions and future works, and conclusions. MEC is defined as providing IT services and cloud computing capabilities at the edge of the mobile network, within the Radio Access Network (RAN), and in close proximity to mobile subscribers. MEC offers cloud computing capabilities within the RAN, allowing direct mobile traffic between the core network and end user, instead of connecting the user directly to the nearest cloud service-enabled edge network. Deploying MEC at the base station enhances computation, avoids bottlenecks, and system failure. MEC is a layer between cloud and mobile devices, forming a three-layer hierarchy: cloud, MEC, and mobile devices. MEC is a promising edge technology that improves user experience by providing high bandwidth and low latency. MEC is enabled by network functions virtualization, software-defined networks, and fifth-generation wireless networks. MEC is also enabled by live video streaming and the Internet of Things. MEC has several applications, including augmented reality, content delivery and caching, healthcare, mobile big data analytics, connected vehicles, video analytics, smart grids, wireless sensor and actuator networks, and smart building control. MEC is also used in ocean monitoring. MEC has several research efforts, including low latency, computational offloading, storage, and energy efficiency. MEC is a key enabler for various applications and scenarios, and has potential for future research and development.