Homomorphic Evaluation

Definition ∞ Homomorphic Evaluation describes the capability to perform computations on encrypted data without first decrypting it. This cryptographic technique allows for the processing of sensitive information while it remains in a protected state, preserving data privacy. The results of such computations are also encrypted, and only the authorized party with the decryption key can access the cleartext output. Homomorphic evaluation is a significant advancement for secure cloud computing and privacy-preserving data analytics.
Context ∞ The advancement of Homomorphic Evaluation is gaining considerable traction as a foundational technology for privacy in decentralized systems and confidential smart contracts. Researchers are actively working to improve the efficiency and practicality of fully homomorphic encryption schemes, which currently face high computational overheads. Its application holds substantial promise for enabling secure data sharing and computation in regulated industries, without exposing sensitive information on public blockchains.