What is Homomorphic Encryption? 2 Types of HE

Homomorphic encryption is a powerful and innovative type of encryption that promises to revolutionize the way that data is secured and shared. HE is a relatively new technology and is still in the early stages of research and development. However, it has the potential to revolutionize the way that data is secured and shared, and there are already a number of implementations of HE in the market.

This article will provide an overview of homomorphic encryption, its benefits, types, implementations, applications, challenges, and examples of homomorphic encryption systems.

What is Homomorphic Encryption?

Homomorphic encryption (HE) is a type of encryption that allows computation on encrypted data without having to decrypt it. The data can be shared between multiple parties without having to worry about unauthorized access or data breaches.

HE is based on the concept of homomorphic encryption schemes, which are algorithms that allow for the encryption and decryption of data. These algorithms are specifically designed to allow for the encryption and decryption of data in a way that preserves the underlying structure of the data. This means that the data can be encrypted and then operated on without having to decrypt it first.

Types of Homomorphic Encryption

Homomorphic Encryption (HE), as it is commonly known, is available in different types. Despite their slight variations in function, the foundation of their operation is the same, they use an arithmetic circuit to carry out calculations instead of the boolean course that is utilized for other computing techniques. 

An arithmetic circuit permits the data to be represented in a numerical format rather than a text format. Then, the calculations are executed with the integers.

The two most important types of HE are:

Partially Homomorphic Encryption (PHE)

With partially Homomorphic Encryption, it is possible to carry out certain mathematical operations (for example, addition and multiplication) without decrypting the data, while for other operations, decryption is necessary.

So, PHE allows for the encryption and decryption of data, but only certain operations can be performed on the encrypted data. E.g.-

El Gamal cryptosystem: This is a type of public-key encryption that enables partially homomorphic encryption. Within the El Gamal cryptosystem, data is encrypted using a public key and decrypted using a private key. This system also allows for performing addition and multiplication operations on encrypted data.

Paillier cryptosystem: This is another example of PHE. In this system, data is encrypted using a public key, and decryption is performed using a private key. With the Paillier cryptosystem also, it is possible to carry out addition and multiplication operations on encrypted data.

Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE)

It permits all operations to be completed an infinite number of times and to any magnitude of intricacy without needing to decrypt the data. It is the most safe form of Homomorphic Encryption that is currently available. However, it is also the most difficult to implement, as it requires a high degree of complexity and sophistication. E.g.-

Gentry’s scheme: Gentry’s is the first scheme published with a fully homomorphic encryption system. It  is based upon the foundations of the El Gamal and Paillier cryptographic systems.

Implementations of Homomorphic Encryption 

Some of the most promising implementations of HE are: 

Microsoft

Microsoft is utilizing homomorphic encryption within its Azure confidential computing platform. This innovative platform enables users to securely store and manipulate sensitive data in the cloud, including financial and medical records. By employing this technology, Microsoft ensures the privacy of this data while still granting users the ability to access and utilize it.

IBM 

IBM has incorporated homomorphic encryption into its Watson Health platform, enabling researchers to analyze medical data without direct access to the original data.

Google

Google has incorporated homomorphic encryption into its Cloud Dataproc service. This particular service provides the capability for users to execute Apache Spark tasks on encrypted data, all without the need to decrypt the data beforehand.

Challenges of Homomorphic Encryption

HE is a relatively new technology, and there are still some challenges that need to be addressed before it can be fully implemented.

• Complex: HE requires a high degree of complexity and sophistication to be properly implemented. This means that there is a learning curve associated with HE, and it can be difficult to properly implement and use.
• Security: As the technology is still in its early stages,  there are numerous security considerations that need to be thoroughly examined and resolved.
• Performance: HE poses a significant challenge due to its high computational cost. This hinders its widespread adoption.
• Standardization: There is no universally accepted standard for HE. This poses challenges for developers seeking to integrate this encryption method into their applications.

Conclusion

Homomorphic encryption is a powerful and innovative type of encryption that promises to revolutionize the way that data is secured and shared.

If you’re looking for a way to securely share data between multiple parties or securely store data in the cloud, then homomorphic encryption may be the right solution for you. With its high degree of security and privacy, HE is sure to revolutionize the way that data is secured and shared.

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