HASLab/INESC TEC launches project on security and privacy of data in the Cloud

In November 2013, the Laboratory of High-Assurance Software (HASLab) of INESC TEC, started the European project PRACTICE (Privacy-Preserving Computation in the Cloud). Its goal is to create a secure infrastructure for the Cloud that makes advanced cryptographic technologies available to all users. The system will provide guarantees of privacy and sophisticated security, while ensuring a clear economic benefit, usually associated with this type of information storage and file services.

The PRACTICE infrastructure, which will be strongly industry-oriented, consists of a secure platform for services and organisational applications (SPEAR), and includes applications and automated tools for developing applications, satisfying relevant safety and privacy the requirements.

With a duration of 36 months, the PRACTICE wants to open new markets for providers of Cloud services, removing barriers to the acceptance of this kind of service which are usually related to security and privacy problems.

HASLab will be a stakeholder in the project thanks to its expertise in the design and implementation of cryptographic algorithms and protocols, formal verification software and highly scalable data storage for cloud environments. HASLab is experienced in these areas as a result of the participation in important projects in this area: CACE, GORDA and CumuloNimbo.

HASLab will develop programming languages and build tools for implementing secure computing systems, as well as data storage technologies to support cloud applications with security requirements. The HASLab team includes Manuel Barbosa, José Carlos Bacelar, Rui Oliveira and José Orlando Pereira.

Other than HASLab/INESC TEC, project partners include two non-profit R&D organisations (Alexandra Institute and Distretto Tecnologico Aerospaziale), two leading industry partners in Europe (SAP and INTEL), three Europan SMEs (Technikon, Cybernetica and Partisia) and eight world-renowned Universities, which include Bar Ilan University, University of Bristol and Technische Universitaet Darmstadt.