Unlocking Data Value Securely
Data is usually labelled as an asset. In practice, it is also a liability; especially when dealing with sensitive data.
Confidential Computing offers a way of working with data that allows for an encrypted process while the data is in use. This is a break from how data has typically been processed through normal means, where at some point during the processing cycle; the data is usually visible.
Let’s say a healthcare provider needs to provide analysis of patient data from several locations. Since there are privacy issues related to the exchange of data, most organizations would not be able to share patient data among themselves. With the use of confidential computing, the process can occur without ever exposing the actual data that was used during the analysis.
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The concept of Confidential Computing is hard to grasp because the technology is based on secure enclaves and hardware-based protection measures and knowledge of those technologies would not be common for most business professionals. This creates a delay in the ability for organizations to adapt to this technology.
More importantly is that there is a trade-off in relation to performance when using these technologies. By encrypting data during its process, you create a delay in processing time which may affect certain applications based on their performance requirement.
Regardless, the benefit of confidential computing is that organizations now have an opportunity to collaborate and generate data driven analysis without giving up their rights of ownership to their data. This allows for organizations to work together and to collaborate in ways that previously would have been impossible.
So confidential computing is not just a security-based technology; it allows for greater collaborative opportunities and all while providing the means to maintain the trust required to do so. Confidential computing will gradually open up new opportunities on the types of collaborations that will be able to take place.
