Implementing Homomorphic Encryption and Zero-Knowledge Proofs for Secure SQL Operations

Introduction

With the rapid rise of data breaches and increasing privacy concerns, the need for secure methods of data handling has never been greater. Whether in the realm of healthcare, finance, or personal communication, protecting sensitive information is critical. However, protecting data is not just about encrypting it at rest or in transit; we also need to perform computations on encrypted data without exposing it. This is where Homomorphic Encryption (HE) comes into play.

Homomorphic Encryption allows computations to be performed directly on encrypted data, producing an encrypted result that, when decrypted, matches the outcome of operations performed on the plaintext. But performing operations on encrypted data alone is not enough — we also want to ensure the correctness of the results. This is where Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZK) become essential, enabling verification of the results without revealing the actual data.

In this blog, we will explore a full implementation of a secure database system using Homomorphic Encryption and Zero-Knowledge Proofs, breaking down every step and concept. By the end, you’ll have a working understanding of how to apply these cryptographic techniques to ensure privacy-preserving computations in…