Image by DC Studio, from Freepik
New FeFET Device Advances Homomorphic Encryption For Secure Cloud Computing
- Written by Kiara Fabbri Former Tech News Writer
- Fact-Checked by Justyn Newman Former Lead Cybersecurity Editor
As data privacy concerns grow in an increasingly interconnected world, homomorphic encryption offers a potential solution, as reported today by Spectrum .
In a Rush? Here are the Quick Facts!
- FeFETs store data with electric polarization, enabling more unpredictable random numbers for encryption.
- The FeFET array simplifies encryption into one step, reducing power consumption and improving efficiency.
- The device achieved 99.6% accuracy, surpassing previous RRAM solutions in encryption reliability.
This advanced encryption method allows data to be processed without ever revealing the original information to the server. However, the computational power needed for this encryption has long been a limitation for devices like smartphones and IoT devices, says Spectrum.
Now, a team of engineers from Peking University in Beijing may have found a breakthrough with a new device that makes homomorphic encryption more feasible for commercial electronics.
Homomorphic encryption works by encrypting data on a device before it is sent for processing. The data is then processed in its encrypted form, ensuring that no one—including the server processing it—can access the original information, reports Spectrum.
After the computations are complete, the data is decrypted, leaving the user’s privacy intact.The main challenge with homomorphic encryption has been the significant computational power required to perform the necessary calculations, notes Spectrum.
Current Internet of Things (IoT) devices lack the processing capabilities to carry out the complex mathematical operations needed. To overcome this, the Peking University team developed a device using arrays of ferroelectric field-effect transistors (FeFETs), notes Spectrum.
These transistors are optimized to handle the encryption and decryption process with high accuracy while minimizing the computational load, says Spectrum.
Kechao Tang, an assistant professor of integrated circuits at Peking University, explained to Spectrum that by implementing these novel semiconductor devices, they can enable commercial electronics like smartphones to use cloud computing power while still protecting data.
FeFETs differ from traditional transistors by incorporating a layer of ferroelectric material, which can store electric polarization without needing an electric field. This allows FeFETs to produce more unpredictable random numbers, making encryption harder to crack, as reported by Spectrum.
The device can encrypt and decrypt data more efficiently by simplifying the process into a single step, compared to the two-step process typically required, notes Spectrum.
The FeFET array can process the data more effectively by combining multiple inputs—such as the encryption matrix, data to be encrypted, and an additional vector—into a single computation. This results in faster encryption with lower power consumption, reports Spectrum.
Tang also noted to Spectrum that the new device offers a higher accuracy rate compared to other encryption methods using resistive random-access memory (RRAM), making it a more reliable option for secure data processing.
The FeFET array achieved a 99.6% accuracy rate, a significant improvement over previous RRAM solutions. Looking ahead, Tang hopes to see this technology integrated into smartphones, allowing users to securely encrypt data before uploading it to the cloud and decrypt it when needed, as reported by Spectrum.
Image by Freepik
UK Police Introduce Bluetooth Tile Trackers To Safeguard Dementia Patients
- Written by Kiara Fabbri Former Tech News Writer
- Fact-Checked by Justyn Newman Former Lead Cybersecurity Editor
Avon and Somerset Police has launched a new Bluetooth Tile device as part of its Dementia Safeguarding Scheme, offering enhanced protection for more than 1,600 people living with dementia.
In a Rush? Here are the Quick Facts!
- Tile devices leverage Life360’s global network to locate missing individuals quickly.
- Tile includes QR code for direct contact with next of kin or carers.
- Devices are provided free of charge and have reduced missing incidents by 80%.
The introduction of the Bluetooth-enabled Tile device is the latest innovation in Avon and Somerset Police’s Dementia Safeguarding Scheme, which has been safeguarding individuals living with dementia since its inception in 2015.
This new device, supported by Life360, aims to provide family members and carers with a discreet way to track the location of vulnerable individuals, offering peace of mind and swift response in emergencies.
The Tile trackers work by leveraging Life360’s global network, which connects over 76 million smartphones worldwide. This network creates a ‘location effect’ that allows carers and family members to pinpoint the wearer’s location if they go missing.
Importantly, the device ensures privacy, with location data visible only to authorised family or carers, ensuring sensitive information is kept secure. A key feature of the Tile device is its QR code functionality. When scanned, the code on the back of the device connects the wearer to their next of kin or carer via phone or text.
This contact information is securely stored during the device registration process within the Tile app, making it easy for emergency contacts to reach out quickly if the wearer needs assistance.
In terms of ease of use, the Tile device requires no maintenance beyond its initial setup, and the battery lasts for up to three years without needing to be recharged, making it a low-effort solution for long-term safeguarding.
The Dementia Safeguarding Scheme, founded by Inspector Stuart King in response to a rise in missing person incidents involving individuals with dementia, has been at the forefront of protecting vulnerable people.
The scheme incorporates the Herbert Protocol, which allows carers and families to upload crucial information about their loved ones to the Avon and Somerset Police website. This data can be accessed instantly by officers in case a person goes missing, significantly reducing search times and helping prevent harm.
Inspector Stuart King commented, “The introduction of Bluetooth-enabled devices from Life360 and Tile is a significant step forward in safeguarding those living with dementia.’’
“These discreet and user-friendly devices not only offer reassurance to families but can be a critical tool in emergency situations, enabling quick response and timely assistance,’’ he added.
Since its launch, the scheme has issued thousands of Near-Field Communication (NFC) wristbands and tags, thanks to donations from organisations such as Bristol Water, Wessex Water, and the Bristol Dementia Action Alliance.
These NFC devices store vital information, which can be accessed by emergency responders or the public via a smartphone. All of the devices, including the new Tile trackers, are offered free of charge to people living with dementia in Avon and Somerset.
The scheme’s success has garnered numerous national and international awards, including recognitions from the Alzheimer’s Society and the RFID technology industry. Independent studies have shown the scheme has reduced missing incidents by over 80%.
For more information or to register for the scheme, visit the Avon and Somerset Police website .
