Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) is an emerging architecture that extends cloud computing services to the edge of networks, specifically near 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, close to 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. To address these challenges, it is essential to understand the network infrastructure of MEC, cloud, and cellular networks. This thesis outlines the importance and challenges of MEC deployment. It discusses the impact of integrating MEC with traditional mobile and cloud networks. A survey is presented that contributes to a general understanding of MEC, including its definition, advantages, architectures, and applications. Related research and future directions are also pointed out. Security and privacy issues and their possible solutions are discussed. The thesis is dedicated to the author's late parents, who were his first teachers. He also thanks his siblings for their love and support. The author thanks his supervisors, Yan Zhang and Tor Skeie, for their guidance and feedback. He also acknowledges various individuals and institutions that contributed to his thesis, including professors, research scientists, and the University of Oslo. The thesis is organized into chapters that cover the background and related surveys, applications and emerging scenarios, research infrastructures, security and privacy issues, open research problems, discussions and future works, and a conclusion. The thesis provides an overview of MEC, its key enablers, applications, challenges, and future research directions. It also discusses the security and privacy issues associated with MEC and potential solutions. The thesis concludes with a summary of the findings and future research directions.Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) is an emerging architecture that extends cloud computing services to the edge of networks, specifically near 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, close to 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. To address these challenges, it is essential to understand the network infrastructure of MEC, cloud, and cellular networks. This thesis outlines the importance and challenges of MEC deployment. It discusses the impact of integrating MEC with traditional mobile and cloud networks. A survey is presented that contributes to a general understanding of MEC, including its definition, advantages, architectures, and applications. Related research and future directions are also pointed out. Security and privacy issues and their possible solutions are discussed. The thesis is dedicated to the author's late parents, who were his first teachers. He also thanks his siblings for their love and support. The author thanks his supervisors, Yan Zhang and Tor Skeie, for their guidance and feedback. He also acknowledges various individuals and institutions that contributed to his thesis, including professors, research scientists, and the University of Oslo. The thesis is organized into chapters that cover the background and related surveys, applications and emerging scenarios, research infrastructures, security and privacy issues, open research problems, discussions and future works, and a conclusion. The thesis provides an overview of MEC, its key enablers, applications, challenges, and future research directions. It also discusses the security and privacy issues associated with MEC and potential solutions. The thesis concludes with a summary of the findings and future research directions.