OIST and Partisia sign MOU to advance the research and development of multi-party computation and privacy enhancing technologies

Bridging the gap between research-driven cryptography and privacy through secure computations

2024-10-16

(Press-News.org) The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) and the Danish software company Partisia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen their research ties.

The primary objective of this collaboration is to advance research in Multi-Party Computation (MPC), focusing on developing innovative Privacy-Enhancing Technology solutions. By leveraging their combined knowledge and expertise, OIST and Partisia aim to deliver a global perspective on secure computation, quantum-safe cryptography, and cyber security.

OIST will contribute to the collaboration with its in-house expertise and the talents of its research community. At the same time, Partisia will bring its know-how and long-standing experience from its team of MPC researchers.

The parties will collaborate closely and proactively by:

Developing joint research projects in cryptography, secure computation, and cyber security. Facilitating research exchange visits and internships of Partisia’s research staff to OIST and OIST’s researchers to Partisia. Jointly developing training materials and information on topics of mutual interest. Collaborating on applications for research funding in Japan, the EU, or elsewhere. Working together to identify opportunities for Partisia and OIST in Japan. Prof. Claudio Orlandi, Chief Cryptographic Protocol Designer at Partisia, says, ”We look forward to collaborating with OIST, an institution renowned for its interdisciplinary research, particularly in areas like cryptography, quantum technologies, and cybersecurity. In particular the Applied Cryptography Unit, led by Prof. Carlos Cid, has made important contributions to quantum-safe cryptography, which align well with Partisia’s pioneering experience with the research, development and commercialization of advanced cryptographic solutions such as secure multiparty computation and other privacy-enhancing technologies. By joining forces, we believe we can accelerate the research, development and adoption of advanced privacy and cybersecurity technologies in Denmark, Japan, and internationally, contributing to a more secure digital future.”

Prof. Carlos Cid, who leads the Applied Cryptography Unit, says, “I am delighted with the start of our collaboration with Partisia. It is hard to overstate the contributions Partisia and its team have made to multi-party computation, theory and practice: from setting up many of the theoretical foundations of MPC to proposing a range of applications; from its steady advances towards efficiency to real-world deployment of MPC systems. Privacy enhancing technologies, multi-party computation and quantum cryptography are thriving and are very active areas in cryptographic research and practice, and a common interest. I can envisage a number of research projects on which we can work together towards innovative solutions for secure data sharing and computation, in the classical and quantum worlds. Our collaboration also provides the framework for research visits, and we look forward to hosting Partisia cryptographers in Okinawa. More generally, it is just a great opportunity – as we further develop our activities in cryptographic research at OIST, and Partisia strengthens its presence in Japan – to team up and work together.”

About Partisia
Partisia is an innovative software company, and a trusted partner in empowering companies to operate and compute encrypted data. Providing a platform where data from individuals, governments and private companies are able to stay encrypted and protected, while still being fully available for data analysis. Partisia is founded by global pioneers within Multiparty Computation and advanced cryptography.

About OIST
OIST was founded in 2011 on the initiative of the Japanese government to contribute to global science and technology, attracting leading researchers from Japan and abroad to establish a world-class research hub and innovative knowledge cluster. As a pioneering graduate university, its mission is to conduct high-class research that bridges disciplines to explore new frontiers of scientific knowledge, educate a new generation of scientific leaders, and catalyze industrial innovation in Okinawa.

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OIST and Partisia sign MOU to advance the research and development of multi-party computation and privacy enhancing technologies

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