# Homomorphic Encryption - A Quick Intro ## Some Definitions "ὁμός" (homos) => "same" "μορφή" (morphe) => "shape" homomorphism => a map/function preserving structure homomorphic encryption => operations on encrypted data map to same operations on the unencrypted data #### Weak Analogy - Gold Ring in a Locked Box ![](https://i.imgur.com/ANdhShi.png) ## Some Applications Machine Learning Models Private Queries "Outsourced Computation" ## Some Types ### Partially Homomorphic Encryption (PHE) Only one type of operation and no limit on number of operations ### Somewhat Homomorphic Encryption (SWE or SWHE) More than one type of operation, but limited number of operations ### Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE) All types of operation and no limit on number of operations ## Some History ![](https://i.imgur.com/klfe1UW.png) ## Some Cryptography Symmetric vs Public Key Circuits - AND and XOR All functions can be reduced to a series of additions and multiplications - AND and XOR ## Some Math Fun with Abstract Algebra / Number Theory Groups => Rings => Fields - Closure - Associativity - Identity - Inverse Abelian Group add Commutativity ### Hard Problems Factorization - RSA Discrete Logarithm - ElGamal Elliptic Curve - Bitcoin, Ethereum BLS Lattices - FHE (post quantum) Shortest Vector Problem (SVP) Closest Vector Problem (CVP) Short Integer Solution Problem (SIS) Learning With Errors Problem (LWE) ## Some Details ### Noise Makes the encryption secure Too much noise prevent decryption Operations add noise - exponentially ### Bootstrapping Reset the noise ![](https://i.imgur.com/MLYpaYu.png) ### Some Implementations https://homomorphicencryption.org https://fhe.org Implementation schemes (BGV, BFV, CKKS, etc.) focus on particular classes of computation support https://github.com/Microsoft/SEAL (`brew install seal`) https://github.com/openfheorg/openfhe-development https://github.com/tuneinsight/lattigo ## Some Alternatives ### MPC Multi Party Computation ### TEE Trusted Execution Envirnment SGX (Intel) and other "Secure Enclave" solutions