Information Science Research and the University of Wollongong to undertakeground breaking research into new encryption technology. Enabling efficient Multi-key homomorphic encryption (MKHE), while overcoming the shortcomings of current solutions.

Information Science Research (ISR) and the University of Wollongong (UOW) are undertaking a research project to simplify the process of conducting data analytics on public cloud-stored data, while maintaining the security of the data through state-of-the-art encryption protocols. In the current business and technological environment, data has become a new commodity. This circumstance has only been exaggerated by the democratization of access to large language models such as ChatGPT - with large data sets being used to train, refine, and reinforce the knowledge base of AI agents all within the cloud. With the drastic increase in the value of data, encryption and data security of said data becomes an issue of paramount importance.

However, the remaining challenging question is how to store data in the cloud securely whilst allowing data analytics to be conducted. Homomorphic encryption (HE) aims to solve this issue, but it restricts only a single user, which limits the collaboration of many organizations in joining their data for analysis while keeping their data confidential. Multi-key HE (MKHE) promises a perfect solution, but its efficient construction remains questionable as it is very challenging to realize. This project aims to overcome this challenge by enabling novel efficient MKHEs. The expected outcomes of this project are to develop innovative cryptographic technologies that realize efficient MKHEs, together with their cryptographic libraries and practical applications insolving industry problems.

This exciting research project undertaken as a collaborative effort by ISR and UOW will provide direct economic benefits to Australian industry through the enablement of advanced technologies and low-cost business solutions that are developed in Australia. Stay posted for more exciting developments in this project, as well as other projects in the future!