Fully Homomorphic Encryption Compiler Enables Secure Computation on Encrypted Data

Umair Akbar
12 min readFeb 14, 2023
Photo by Franck on Unsplash

Editors notes: This article is based upon the open source github repository located here, and maintained by Google.

The Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE) Compiler is a powerful tool that enables secure computation on encrypted data. This transpiler converts a specific subset of valid C++ programs to programs that run on encrypted data, and has built-in support for circuit optimization, making programs run faster. The FHE Compiler is designed to work with encrypted data, and can transform plaintext programs into programs that work with encrypted data. This important feature allows for sensitive data to remain encrypted during computation, protecting it from potential breaches.

Despite its advantages, the FHE Compiler also has some limitations. For example, all loops must be fully unrolled and all control flow must be multiplexed. However, these limitations can be addressed using optimization techniques such as loop unrolling and control flow optimization.

The OpenFHE library backend can be used to build FHE-enabled functions, including an add function. Building an FHE-enabled add function involves loading the FHE Compiler and generating header and cc files containing the same API as the add function, but with different types for the arguments and extra arguments needed by the FHE library backend. A main routine is then created using the library, and the FHE-enabled add function can be run.

The FHE Compiler is written in Starlark, a Python-inspired scripting language, and uses Bazel to build targets in two phases: analysis and rule-running. The Bazel macro fhe_cc_library is the main entrypoint for the FHE Compiler. It is a macro that chains together a bunch of rules that call the parser, circuit optimizer, and codegen steps, each one being its own Bazel rule.

The adder circuit generated by the XLS Compiler is represented in XLS-IR, an internal representation used by the compiler. Verilog code is first converted to XLS-IR, and then the XLS-IR is used to generate a circuit using Yosys, a tool that can generate netlists from Verilog code.

The use of FHE Compiler has numerous applications in various fields, such as finance, healthcare, and government, where data security and privacy are crucial. FHE-enabled programs enable secure computation on sensitive data, protecting it from potential breaches. Although the FHE Compiler has limitations, its potential future advancements can lead to improved program performance and reduced limitations, resulting in wider adoption in various fields.

Building Secure Computation with the FHE Compiler and OpenFHE Library Backend

The OpenFHE library backend is a crucial component in building Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE) enabled functions, such as the add function. This library provides a set of functions that can work with encrypted data, allowing for secure computation on sensitive data without having to decrypt it.

To build an FHE-enabled add function, the FHE Compiler is first loaded as an extension to Bazel. The FHE Compiler is then used to generate a header and cc file containing the same API as the add function, but with different types for the arguments and extra arguments needed by the FHE library backend. Finally, a main routine using the library is created. When the FHE-enabled add function is run, it should produce the same result as the plaintext add function, but with encrypted data.

Bazel is a build system that can be used to build software projects, including the FHE Compiler and FHE-enabled functions. The build process involves two phases: the analysis phase, which scans for all the rules that were called, and the rule-running phase, which runs the rules in dependency order. The main entrypoint for the FHE Compiler is the Bazel macro fhe_cc_library, which is a macro that chains together a set of rules that call the parser, circuit optimizer, and codegen steps. Each of these rules in turn declares and writes files that can be inspected.

The FHE Compiler is written in Starlark, a Python-inspired scripting language. The use of FHE-enabled functions has various applications in finance, healthcare, and government, where data security and privacy are crucial. While the FHE Compiler has some limitations, such as the requirement that all loops must be fully unrolled, there are ways to address these limitations through optimization techniques. Advancements in FHE Compiler technology can lead to improved program performance and reduced limitations, resulting in wider adoption in various fields.

Advancing Data Security with the FHE Compiler and XLS Compiler

The XLS Compiler is a high-level synthesis tool that can generate hardware circuits from high-level code. It is used to generate the adder circuit, which is a hardware circuit designed to add two numbers. The circuit is represented in XLS-IR, an internal representation used by the compiler, and generated using Yosys, a tool that can generate netlists from Verilog code.

The FHE Compiler is an important tool for ensuring data security. It is specifically designed to work with encrypted data and can convert C++ programs into programs that work with encrypted data. FHE-enabled programs are ideal for use in data-sensitive applications because they enable secure computation on sensitive data, without having to decrypt it. This is particularly important in fields such as finance, healthcare, and government, where data security and privacy are crucial.

While the FHE Compiler has some limitations, including the requirement that all loops must be fully unrolled, advancements in FHE Compiler technology can lead to improved program performance and reduced limitations. The use of FHE-enabled functions has various applications in different fields, as it provides a secure way to process sensitive data without risking its exposure. As more organizations look to secure their data and keep it private, tools like the FHE Compiler and XLS Compiler will play an increasingly important role in safeguarding sensitive information.

The Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE) Compiler is a powerful tool that enables secure computation on encrypted data. It is designed to work with encrypted data, and it can transform plaintext programs into programs that work with encrypted data. This important feature allows for sensitive data to remain encrypted during computation, protecting it from potential breaches. Despite its advantages, the FHE Compiler also has some limitations, such as all loops must be fully unrolled and all control flow must be multiplexed. These limitations can be addressed using optimization techniques, such as loop unrolling and control flow optimization. The OpenFHE library backend can be used to build FHE-enabled functions, which can then be used to secure computation on sensitive data.

The potential advancements in FHE Compiler technology can have a significant impact on data security and program performance, leading to wider adoption of FHE Compiler technology in various fields. For example, the implementation of a fully-unrolled loop unrolling technique can reduce the amount of time required to complete a computation. Additionally, control flow optimization techniques can be used to reduce the amount of data that needs to be encrypted and decrypted, which can speed up the computation process. Furthermore, advancements in FHE Compiler technology can reduce the computational overhead associated with secure computation, making it more efficient.

Overall, the FHE Compiler is a powerful tool for secure computation on encrypted data. Its potential advancements can have a major impact on data security and program performance, leading to wider adoption of this technology in various areas. Despite its limitations, the FHE Compiler is an effective tool for securing data and performing computation securely.

Benefits of FHE Compiler

The Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE) Compiler is an invaluable tool that enables secure computation on encrypted data. By transforming plaintext programs into programs that work with encrypted data, the FHE Compiler provides organizations with an invaluable means of protecting sensitive data from potential breaches. Despite its advantages, the FHE Compiler also has some limitations, such as all loops must be fully unrolled and all control flow must be multiplexed. However, these limitations can be addressed using optimization techniques such as loop unrolling and control flow optimization. The OpenFHE library backend can be used to build FHE-enabled functions, which can then be used to secure computation on sensitive data.

The potential advancements in FHE Compiler technology can have a significant impact on data security and program performance, leading to wider adoption of FHE Compiler technology in various fields. For example, the use of FHE Compiler technology can allow organizations to securely store and process sensitive data without having to worry about potential breaches. It can also improve the performance of programs by allowing for multiplexing of control flow, loop unrolling, and other optimization techniques.

In addition to its advantages in data security and performance, the FHE Compiler can also be used to create distributed applications that are resilient to attacks. This is because of the encryption of data which makes it computationally infeasible for attackers to access and manipulate the data. By using the FHE Compiler, organizations can create secure applications that protect their data from potential attacks.

Overall, the Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE) Compiler is a powerful tool that enables secure computation on encrypted data. With its potential advancements, the FHE Compiler can have a significant impact on data security, program performance, and distributed applications. Organizations can make use of the FHE Compiler to protect their sensitive data and ensure secure computation on encrypted data.

Limitations and Potential Advancements

The Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE) Compiler is an innovative tool that facilitates secure computation on encrypted data, allowing sensitive data to remain encrypted while being processed. However, like all technology, the FHE Compiler has its limitations. All loops must be fully unrolled and all control flow must be multiplexed, which can lead to degraded performance in certain programs. Fortunately, there are optimization techniques that can be used to address these limitations, such as loop unrolling and control flow optimization. Additionally, the OpenFHE library backend can be used to build FHE-enabled functions, providing a secure means for performing computation on sensitive data.

Despite these limitations, advancements in FHE Compiler technology are leading to improved performance and reduced limitations. Improvements to the FHE Compiler technology can result in better data security and program performance, widening the scope of applications that can benefit from FHE Compiler technology. In the near future, the FHE Compiler will no doubt become an increasingly important tool for protecting data and ensuring secure computation. As more organizations become aware of the advantages provided by the FHE Compiler, its potential applications will continue to grow.

Potential Advancements in FHE Compiler Technology

The Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE) Compiler is an important tool that allows for secure computation on encrypted data. With the FHE Compiler, plaintext programs can be transformed into programs that work with encrypted data, allowing sensitive data to remain encrypted during computation and protecting it from potential breaches. Despite its advantages, the FHE Compiler has some limitations, such as all loops must be fully unrolled and all control flow must be multiplexed. However, these limitations can be addressed using optimization techniques such as loop unrolling and control flow optimization. The OpenFHE library backend can be used to build FHE-enabled functions, which can then be used to secure computation on sensitive data.

The FHE Compiler has various limitations but advancements in its technology are leading to improved performance and reduced limitations. The potential advancements in FHE Compiler technology can have a significant impact on data security and program performance, leading to wider adoption of FHE Compiler technology in various fields. For instance, improved performance in FHE Compiler technology means that more complex computations can be performed on encrypted data while still protecting the data from potential breaches. Additionally, reducing the limitations of the FHE Compiler could potentially enable more complex computations to be performed on encrypted data, leading to improved data security and program performance.

Overall, the FHE Compiler is an incredibly powerful tool that can be used to ensure secure computation on encrypted data. The advancements in its technology have the potential to have a significant impact on data security and program performance, leading to wider adoption of FHE Compiler technology in various fields. With improved performance, reduced limitations, and improved data security and program performance, the FHE Compiler is sure to become an important tool for ensuring secure computation.

The Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE) Compiler is a powerful tool that enables secure computation on encrypted data. It allows for sensitive data to remain encrypted during computation, protecting it from potential breaches. Despite its advantages, the FHE Compiler also has some limitations, such as all loops must be fully unrolled and all control flow must be multiplexed. However, these limitations can be addressed using optimization techniques such as loop unrolling and control flow optimization. The OpenFHE library backend can be used to build FHE-enabled functions, which can then be used to secure computation on sensitive data.

The potential advancements in FHE Compiler technology can have an immense impact on data security and program performance, leading to wider adoption of FHE Compiler technology in various fields. Optimization techniques, such as loop unrolling and control flow optimization, can be used to improve the performance of the FHE Compiler and reduce its limitations. Additionally, the OpenFHE library backend can be used to develop new FHE-enabled functions, providing more secure computation on encrypted data.

In summary, the FHE Compiler is a powerful tool that enables secure computation on encrypted data. Despite its limitations, the FHE Compiler provides a secure way to protect sensitive data from potential breaches. Additionally, the potential advancements in FHE Compiler technology can lead to improved performance and wider adoption of FHE Compiler technology in various fields. The OpenFHE library backend can also be used to develop new FHE-enabled functions, providing more secure computation on encrypted data.

Revolutionizing Data Security: The Advantages and Limitations of FHE Compiler

Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE) Compiler is a revolutionary tool designed to enable secure computation on sensitive data without having to decrypt it. The FHE Compiler is a transpiler that can convert C++ programs into programs that work with encrypted data. The FHE Compiler has built-in support for circuit optimization, which can make the programs run faster. This powerful tool is used to build FHE-enabled functions such as the add function, and it has a wide range of applications in fields that require secure computation on sensitive data.

One of the key advantages of using the FHE Compiler is the improved data security and privacy that it provides. In finance, FHE Compiler can be used to perform secure data analysis and sharing, while in healthcare, it can be used to enable secure computation on sensitive patient data. In government, it can be used to enable secure communication and data sharing between agencies.

Despite its advantages, the FHE Compiler has some limitations that must be considered. For instance, the requirement that all loops must be fully unrolled and that all control flow is multiplexed can impact program performance and compatibility with specific C++ programs. These limitations can be addressed through the use of optimization techniques such as loop unrolling and control flow optimization.

As more organizations seek to secure their data and keep it private, the use of tools like the FHE Compiler will play an increasingly important role in safeguarding sensitive information. The potential benefits of the FHE Compiler in various fields, coupled with its limitations, suggest that further research and development of this technology are needed to improve its functionality and reduce its limitations. Overall, the FHE Compiler presents a promising solution to the challenge of secure computation on sensitive data, and its applications are set to grow as data privacy and security become an increasingly important issue in many fields.

Future of FHE Compiler

Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE) is a promising technology that allows secure computation on encrypted data. However, FHE has some limitations that need to be addressed for wider adoption. There is a lot of potential for advancements in FHE Compiler technology that can overcome these limitations and improve program performance.

The potential advancements in FHE Compiler technology include improving the performance of the compiler and reducing the limitations that exist currently. These advancements can have a significant impact on data security and program performance. For example, improved performance can lead to wider adoption of FHE Compiler technology in various fields, such as finance, healthcare, and government.

To address the limitations of FHE Compiler, research efforts are underway to develop new optimization techniques. These techniques can enable FHE Compiler to work with more complex C++ programs, thereby increasing its compatibility. Additionally, research is being conducted to improve the performance of FHE Compiler by reducing the number of operations required to perform computations on encrypted data.

Concluding Remarks

In conclusion, the Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE) Compiler is an important tool that enables secure computation on encrypted data. While FHE Compiler has some limitations, such as compatibility and performance issues, there is a lot of potential for advancements in FHE Compiler technology that can overcome these limitations and improve program performance.

The potential advancements in FHE Compiler technology can have a significant impact on data security and program performance, leading to wider adoption of FHE Compiler technology in various fields. Overall, the FHE Compiler is a promising technology that has the potential to revolutionize data security and privacy.

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Umair Akbar

Hi, I'm Umair Akbar. Cloud Engineer. Artificially Intelligent. Experienced in deploying and managing cloud infrastructure, proficient in AWS and Google Cloud