Data encryption is a security method that encodes information that cannot be decrypted or accessed unless the user has the correct key. One effective method is homomorphic encryption, which allows data to be manipulated and analyzed while still encrypted.
It is a technique that allows mathematical operations to be performed on data while it remains encrypted. This factor makes it a potent tool for privacy and security. Here is the information if you want to know the different types and their potential applications.
What Is It?
Around 84 percent of customers are more loyal to companies with strong security controls. So if you want your clients and customers, as well as your company, to trust you with their info, you need to implement proper security measures. That’s why powerful encryption techniques have been gaining popularity in recent years.
Homomorphic encryption allows mathematical operations on encrypted data to be carried out without decrypting it first. The encryption first encrypts data using an algorithm. Then, it runs calculations on the ciphertext (the encrypted information). These calculations are entirely equivalent to if the data were not encrypted in the first place. Finally, the encryption brings forth a new ciphertext that, when decrypted, is identical to what you would’ve gotten had you done the operation on the original plaintext (unencrypted data).
The Types
Around 34% of organizations reported having malware in 2020. Malware is a kind of malicious software that is designed to gain access to or damage a computer system. However, this encryption offers a way to protect data from malware and other cyber threats.
There are three types of this encryption:
- Partial homomorphic encryption (PHE)
- Somewhat homomorphic encryption (SHE)
- Fully homomorphic encryption (FHE)
PHE
This partial technique allows some operations on encrypted data while keeping the data fully secure. It is a valuable tool for privacy and security, allowing sensitive data to be manipulated without revealing its contents. PHE can be used for various purposes, including secure communications, cloud computing, and data analysis.
Operations that can be performed using PHE include addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. However, because only simple procedures can be achieved, PHE is unsuitable for complex tasks, such as genome sequencing or machine learning. Nevertheless, PHE is still an essential tool for privacy and security applications.
SHE
SHE allows computations on the encrypted data without decrypting it. It makes it possible to examine encrypted data without revealing the underlying information. SHE is not secure fully, but it is more practical for many applications.
Some applications that could benefit from it include healthcare, financial services, and extensive data analysis. In the healthcare industry, for example, patient data needs to be examined for research purposes, but patients need to be protected from having their personal information revealed. This can help with this by allowing the analysis of encrypted data without decrypting it.
FHE
It allows for the addition and multiplication of encrypted data. It can be used for private information retrieval, secure multiparty computation, and more.
Conclusion
Whether you are a business owner looking to keep your info private or an individual concerned about your online privacy, encryption is something you should be aware of. With its various applications and benefits, there is no doubt that it will continue to grow in popularity in the years to come.