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AI Governance Glossary
Governance Concept

What Is Confidential Computing?

Confidential Computing is protecting data while it is being processed by performing the computation inside a hardware-based trusted execution environment.

Definition

Confidential Computingprotecting data while it is being processed by performing the computation inside a hardware-based trusted execution environment.

Most security protects data at rest and in transit; confidential computing closes the gap by keeping data encrypted and isolated even while in use, inside a secure enclave the rest of the system cannot inspect. For AI, it offers a way to run models on sensitive data — or protect model weights — without exposing them to the host environment.

Source: Confidential Computing Consortium

Plain-language explanation

Most security protects data at rest and in transit; confidential computing closes the gap by keeping data encrypted and isolated even while in use, inside a secure enclave the rest of the system cannot inspect. For AI, it offers a way to run models on sensitive data — or protect model weights — without exposing them to the host environment.

Primary source: Confidential Computing Consortium

Related terms

Privacy-Enhancing Technologies (PETs) Homomorphic Encryption Data Protection by Design and by Default

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