Confidential Computing (CC) is now available on the Open Telekom Cloud. This highly secure computing option allows companies to meet even the most stringent security requirements, particularly in regulated industries. The Open Telekom Cloud thus continues on its path of providing the safest European cloud by underscoring its focus on security, privacy, and compliance.
Security in the cloud remains a widely debated topic. Many companies rely on encryption for their security concepts, which has long been available in public clouds. For example, data at rest encryption in object storage or block storage (OBS/EVS encryption) and data in transit encryption within the cloud or over public networks are well-established practices. However, for processing, data needs to be decrypted, potentially exposing it to cloud providers or unauthorized individuals. This has led to sensitive discussions in light of the Privacy Shields and Europe's pursuit of data sovereignty.
Regulatory authorities in sectors such as regulated industries take extra precautions and require additional technical security measures from companies operating sensitive data or workloads in public clouds to enhance the level of data processing security.
Confidential Computing not only protects sensitive data in accordance with regulations and meets the requirement for user data confidentiality but also safeguards intellectual property that holds high value for respective companies. This includes proprietary business logic, analysis functions, or know-how in the field of data processing for machine learning, for example. Confidential Computing can also be used for secure collaboration between partners in the cloud, known as “data clean rooms.” Encrypted data from various sources can be combined to perform confidential analyses, such as in combating money laundering or in clinical research. Additionally, collaboration platforms for file sharing, calendar invitations, emails, chat messages, or video conferencing systems can be implemented using Confidential Computing to protect personal data.
