The cyber agency (German: Cyberagentur) has awarded the contract for its first tendered project to CISPA-Faculty Dr. Nico Döttling and with Prof. Jörn Müller-Quade from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). The subject of the feasibility study that Döttling and Müller-Quade will prepare is so-called encrypted computing. This involves procedures with which data can be analyzed without first decrypting it. Particularly sensitive and security-critical information can thus remain secret and still be processed. The concept of fully homomorphic encryption, which Dr. Nico Döttling has been working on for some time, is considered particularly promising. "We are excited to be working with the cyber agency and that one of our key research topics has been identified as strategically important," says the CISPA faculty member.
Secure encryption of data is a requirement in nearly all areas of information processing. This applies both to data traffic in the everyday life of every individual and to particularly security-sensitive areas such as the police, intelligence services or the military. Today's cryptographic methods enable data to be kept secret only during its transmission and storage. It is currently not possible to maintain the secrecy of data during processing. According to the cyber agency, the project aims to change that. Michael John, the topic leader for "Encrypted Computing" at the cyber agency, says, "The project is intended to identify potential "encrypted computing" applications that can be used in the future in the area of internal and external security." In addition, he said, the study is intended to show where the deployment is worthwhile.
"We are pleased that the first project of the Cyber Agency can be awarded to Dr. Nico Döttling and Prof. Jörn Müller-Quade. To be able to win over two proven experts in the field at the same time with our research question honors us very much", says Dr. Christian Hummert, Research Director of the Cyber Agency. The results of the study will mark the start of the Cyber Agency's research activities in the field of encrypted computing. During the second half of 2022, it is planned to initiate a publicly tendered program with a volume of approximately eight million euros. Its goal is to research prototype applications for internal and external security with the use of encrypted computing technology.
translated by Tobias Ebelshäuser