Homomorphic Database Querying via Anonymization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing database query systems face significant delays and performance issues when working with encrypted data, as they require decryption and re-encryption, which consumes vast processing resources and does not offer robust analytical capabilities over encrypted data.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for querying anonymized databases without decrypting the data, using deterministic encryption and mathematical transformations to allow queries and analyses on encrypted data, maintaining query performance through indexing and anonymization of all columns, including sensitive and non-sensitive fields, to prevent re-identification attacks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data is encrypted to secure it from improper access, then security is improved, but query performance deteriorates due to decryption and re-encryption steps consuming vast processing resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-processing data during the anonymization phase to create a transformed version that preserves queryability. The anonymization function is applied beforehand to all data, creating an anonymized database that can be queried directly without decryption. This preliminary transformation enables future queries to execute efficiently on the pre-processed anonymized data while maintaining security.
2Ease of operation
If data is decrypted for use by legitimate users, then ease of operation is improved, but security deteriorates as decrypted data becomes vulnerable to improper access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary - the anonymization function - that transforms data into an intermediate state between encrypted and plaintext. This anonymized form acts as a mediator that allows legitimate queries to execute efficiently while preventing improper access. The anonymized data serves as an intermediary representation that preserves necessary query capabilities without exposing the original sensitive information.
3Reliability
If existing methods perform operations on encrypted data directly, then security is maintained, but analytical capabilities and performance deteriorate compared to unencrypted data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transforming the data representation through anonymization functions that modify the parameters of the data while preserving its queryable structure. The anonymization process changes the parameters of data values (applying cryptographic transformations) in a way that maintains the ability to perform analytical operations and queries, enabling robust analytical capabilities over the transformed data while maintaining security.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates generally to a system and method of querying an anonymized database. More particularly, the invention provides a method and system for querying an anonymized database without the need to decrypt queried data while it's processed. Even more specifically, the invention provides a method and system of anonymizing a database such that it may be queried efficiently in near real time while still retaining the ability to not decrypt requested data while it's being processed.