IARPA Introduces Research Program For Encrypted Data Processing

The Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Agency has unveiled a research initiative that aims to build programming languages and tools that will enable processing of encrypted data.

IARPA said Friday it envisions to drive the easy integration of cryptographic computing functions and the creation of secure data offerings via the Homomorphic Encryption Computing Techniques with Overhead Reduction program.

The agency noted that IBM, Galois, Northeastern University, Purdue University and Stealth Software Technologies will serve as research contractors while John Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory are set to function as evaluators in line with the effort.

“HECTOR aims to drive innovation while reducing costs and risks associated with development of secure information technology systems that will use advanced cryptographic capabilities, and enable greater collaboration between departments and agencies,” said Mark Heiligman, a program manager at IARPA.