Secure Comparison of Information Using Homomorphic Encryption
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a method to securely share proprietary data between two parties in a transaction, allowing them to determine if they should move forward without revealing their data, thus preventing either party from gaining a competitive advantage or compromising their information.
Innovation Solution
The method employs asymmetric secure comparison using homomorphic encryption and public-private key exchange, allowing parties to compare information such as molecular structures or bids without disclosing their actual values, using techniques like Zero Knowledge Proofs and Goldwasser-Micali encryption to ensure secure and asymmetric information transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If parties share proprietary data to determine transaction viability, then they can make informed decisions, but they risk revealing sensitive information and gaining competitive advantage
Solution Approach 1:
A trusted third party server acts as an intermediary to facilitate secure comparison. The server receives encrypted data from both parties, performs homomorphic operations to compute comparison results, and returns outcomes without ever decrypting the original data. This mediator enables reliable decision-making while preserving data confidentiality throughout the process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses encrypted copies of the original data instead of the actual proprietary information. Homomorphic encryption allows computations to be performed on these encrypted copies, producing accurate comparison results without exposing the underlying sensitive data. The original data remains confidential while enabling informed transaction decisions.
2Reliability
If one party reveals their data first, then they can make an informed decision, but they lose bargaining power and gain first mover disadvantage
Solution Approach 1:
Both parties submit their encrypted data to the server in advance before any comparison occurs. The server performs all necessary homomorphic computations on these pre-submitted encrypted values, allowing both parties to make fully informed decisions simultaneously without one party having strategic advantage from revealing information first.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements asymmetric secure comparison where each party encrypts their data with their own private key and the server uses corresponding public keys to perform comparisons. This asymmetric cryptographic approach ensures that neither party can derive the other's original data from the encrypted comparisons, maintaining bargaining flexibility while enabling informed decision-making.
3Loss of information
If parties use traditional encryption methods, then data confidentiality is maintained, but they cannot perform secure comparisons without a third party
Solution Approach 1:
A trusted third party server is introduced to perform homomorphic encryption operations. This server receives encrypted data from both parties, executes comparison computations using homomorphic cryptographic techniques, and returns results without decrypting inputs. This intermediary architecture enables secure comparisons while maintaining strong data confidentiality through cryptographic protection throughout the process.
4Measurement precision
If parties disclose their data to compare values, then accurate comparison is achieved, but competitive advantage is lost and proprietary information is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs comparisons on encrypted copies of the original data using homomorphic encryption. These cryptographic copies allow precise mathematical operations and accurate comparison results to be computed without ever exposing the underlying proprietary information. The accuracy of comparison is maintained while the secrecy of original data is preserved throughout the computational process.
Solution Approach 2:
Traditional mechanical approaches requiring direct data exchange and manual comparison are replaced with homomorphic cryptographic operations. The server performs automated encrypted computations that accurately determine comparison results without human intervention or data disclosure, achieving both measurement precision and information protection through cryptographic substitution of traditional comparison mechanisms.
Data Source
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AI summary
The technology encompasses new uses of already-known cryptographic techniques. The technology entails computer-based methods of sharing information securely, in particular an asymmetric method of secure computation that relies on the private-key/public key paradigm with homomorphic encryption. The methods and programmed computing apparatuses herein apply mathematical concepts to services or tasks that are commercially useful and that have not hitherto been possible. Applications of the methods within cloud computing paradigms are presented. Applications of the methods and apparatus herein are far-ranging and include, but are not limited to: purchase-sale transactions such as real estate or automobiles, where some aspect of price negotiation is expected; stock markets; legal settlements; salary negotiation; auctions, and other types of complex financial transactions