As the risk of cybercrimes increases, companies try to give more security to sensitive information. And here comes Confidential Computing which gives assurance to the companies that their sensitive data is safe.
Which encourages them to rely on public cloud services. In this article, we will discuss the whereabouts of Confidential Computing and its uses.
What is Confidential Computing?
Confidential Computing is nothing but a cloud computing technology. During data processing, it isolates the sensitive data in a protected CPU enclave.
It is only accessible to authorized programming code. For an unknown source, it will be invisible or unknowable.
How Confidential Computing Works
When you run data through an application, the data needs to be unencrypted; otherwise, the application won’t be able to read the data. However, unencrypted data is vulnerable to other malicious exploits.
This method helps to solve the problem. Encrypted data can be read through this method. An enclosed territory in the CPU called TEE or hardware-based Trusted Execution Environment keeps this sensitive data safe.
The Trusted Execution Environment has encrypted keys, ensuring that the particular encrypted data can only be accessible by a specific application code. If any other code attempts to go through this process or if the code is hacked or altered, the system will deny its access.
Through this procedure, sensitive data can be protected. Trusted Computing consists of six key points, and obviously, these are technology concepts.
1. Endorsement Key
This key ensures that a secure transaction is conducted by a trusted entity. Every Trusted Platform Module needs to provide a proper identity by signing a random number created by the Trusted Computing Group. Thus, an untrusted entity cannot enter.
2. Secure Input and Output
Secure input and output without any disruption is another key that is maintained. Confidentiality protects the data from unauthorized viewing and access. In today’s world, it is the solution to secure the data in use.
3. Memory Protection Execution
The Trusted Execution Environment or TEE, the enclosed territory that contains the sensitive data, cannot be fully accessible even to the operating system.
4. Sealed Storage
A specific hardware and software combination configures sealed storage to protect sensitive data from falling into the wrong hands. So, if someone tries to alter, delete, copy, or manipulate a particular data, they need to know the right combination.
5. Remote Attestation
Remote attestation is a method by which an authorized host can detect any hardware or software configuration changes made by a computer user.
6. Trusted Third Party
Maintaining the “trusted platform” was very important for TCG technology developers. When using a third-party platform, the user needs to share some personal information about the system by providing their EKpub information.
With the help of EKpub information, the data can fall into the wrong hands. So, the Trusted Computing Group developers create a certified Attestation Identity Key. This method does not require the EKpub information for the third-party platform. This process is called DAA or Direct Anonymous Attestation.
Application of Confidential Computing
The first application of Confidential Computing is securing sensitive data. It can be a company’s confidential data, educational data, or information from other sectors. So, this method is useful in every sector.
Not only does it secure sensitive data, but it also safeguards business logic, machine learning algorithms, analytic functions, or even entire applications.
Two business partners can create new cloud solutions without sharing confidential information.
In the gaming world, it can prevent unfair advantages if a player tries to do so by checking the players’ connecting servers. If any player is connected to an unmodified copy of the software, it can be detected.
It has some drawbacks. This method won’t allow a user to modify software without proper permission, or a user is unable to override or may be vulnerable to vendor withdrawal of service.
To protect highly confidential data, we could overlook these minor drawbacks. So, one can conclude that Confidential Computing is essential in the business field, educational fields, and every other private sector.