Intel Meets Blockchain: Cloud Computing Platform Releases New Solution For Data Protection

On Nov. 1, 2018, iExec, a decentralized marketplace for computing power based in Lyon, France, released its end-to-end trusted execution environment.

The developers of iExec describe the technology as "The first Intel SGX scalable solution for businesses to achieve privacy and security in blockchain-based computing."

According to the iExec Medium blog, enclaves are paradigm-shifting tools in the world of cloud computing.

In May 2018, iExec released its marketplace for trading cloud computing power "As a commodity." According to iExec, one of the most important technologies to make this decentralized cloud infrastructure successful - aside from blockchain - is a trusted execution environment, like Intel SGX. The decentralized nature of the iExec cloud computing network aims to guarantee security.

iExec has been working on its solution utilizing Intel SGX, in partnership with Scontain UG, a software development company based in Dresden, Germany.

In iExec's official press release, the new solution is presented as "The first-ever complete toolkit including Software Development Kit and technical documentation, for businesses to easily employ Intel SGX enclaves to ensure the end-to-end protection of any blockchain product."

iExec showcased this new solution at the Devcon4 conference, one of the biggest gatherings for Ethereum blockchain developers and researchers.

According to the company's Medium blog, iExec aims to create a new paradigm for cloud computing: a global and open market where computing power is "Traded like a commodity."

The company says, the iExec marketplace allows application developers to access affordable, secure, and scalable computing power on-demand.

Today, iExec is working towards the "iExec V3", where the marketplace will evolve beyond the trading of cloud power to integrate the trading of datasets as well.