[ANN] [Whitepaper] NuCypher KMS: Decentralized key management

[michwill]

NuCypher KMS: Decentralized key management system

We’re excited to share NuCypher KMS, a decentralized key management system (KMS) for public blockchains. With NuCypher KMS, an entirely new set of decentralized applications is unlocked for developers. Use cases requiring secure storage, sharing, and manipulation of private data can now be built on public blockchains, allowing for greater protection and control of private data.
The post below gives an overview and a detailed description can be found in our draft technical white paper.

What
NuCypher KMS provides encryption and cryptographic access controls, without reliance on a central service provider. It leverages state-of-the-art proxy re-encryption technology to allow re-keying encrypted data. This allows a decentralized network of nodes to provide key management operations, without accessing private keys or plaintext data.

How
The core technology is proxy re-encryption (PRE), a cryptographic primitive which allows a third-party proxy to transform ciphertexts from one public key to another (using re-encryption keys), without learning anything about the underlying message.

https://i.imgur.com/tJUqsdq.png

Main actors and interactions in a PRE environment
This ability to securely delegate access to private, encrypted information, makes PRE an ideal candidate for constructing cryptographic access controls for distributed systems such as blockchain, internet of things (IoT), and big data.
In NuCypher KMS, access controls are issued, enforced, and revoked via smart contracts executed by a decentralized network of re-encryption nodes. This network controls re-encryption keys and allows data owners to conditionally grant and revoke access to third-parties based on their public key.
Re-encryption nodes are incentivized to behave properly using a proof-of-stake NKMS token. If the nodes are malicious or defective, their deposit is forfeit. Correctly behaving nodes are incentivized to provide re-encryption services through payment in NKMS.

Use cases
NuCypher KMS enables public blockchains to securely store and manipulate secrets, giving decentralized applications a way to work with private data. But key management as a service is useful for centralized applications, too.
Potential use cases include:

• KMS-as-a-service for handling secrets in AWS instances (similar to Hashicorp Vault, Amazon Key Management etc);
• Safely storing encrypted secrets alongside code on GitHub;
• Decentralized Digital Rights Management (DDRM);
• Pay-to-view streaming;
• Encrypted digital content marketplaces;
• Private multi-user chats;
• Private, shareable file storage;
• Patients sharing medical records with healthcare providers;
• Blind identity management;
• Mobile device management and revocation.

Call for contributions
We’re very interested in the community’s suggestions and comments on the technical white paper — everything from security to token economics to functionality requests. We’re also excited to brainstorm use cases for NKMS and would love to hear your ideas. Your involvement will help inform the final, revised version of the white paper.

You can find a draft of the technical white paper and the GitHub repo.

Join our NuCypher KMS community. We look forward to answering your questions on:

• Reddit: /r/nucypherkms;
• Our Slack channel;
• Medium;
• Our Telegram group.

And to keep up to date with our future announcements, subscribe to our mailing list.

[1715489377]

1715489377

[1715489377]

1715489377

[1715489377]

1715489377

[1715489377]

1715489377

[michwill]

Our library to play with proxy re-encryption in Python termnial!

https://medium.com/@NuCypher/proxy-re-encryption-playground-in-python-3bc66170b9bf

[michwill]

Update:

• Business primer
• Whire paper added

[alanwang111]

reserve for Chinese translation and business cooperation

[mugwump]

Hi!

Just dropping by to ask whether there is a possibility of investing and when we might expect it?

Thanks
mugwump

[usefree]

Is Thread alive at all?

[2xbit]

Is Thread alive at all?

I don`t think so. I have not found offical NuCypher thread.

[2xbit]

Hi!

Just dropping by to ask whether there is a possibility of investing and when we might expect it?

Thanks
mugwump

There is no fixed date yet but I`ve read about early 2018. So maybe start will be on february or march.

[byteminr]

Only this thread about NuCypher?
Strange.. So interesting project and no have normal thread

[kakonhat]

Do you have run any bounty campaign or planning to run it?

[zeabat1234]

 This might be interesting. Are you planning bounty programm??

[5thangel]

The whole idea of decentralized key management system makes me really interested, this thread needs to be more live.

[niharpradhan]

Do you have run any bounty campaign or planning to run it?

[gng]

will you have a bounty program? i aam interested . its a great project i dont want to miss it

[v3teran]

I like the fact that this is an infrastructure token and not a utiliy token. I will be purchasing Nucyhper once it becomes available and holding my coins for longterm.

[kable78]

The main technology is proxy encryption (PRE), a cryptographic process that allows an outside proxy to send encrypted information from one public side to another (using re-encryption keys) without disclosing information about the information underlying the message.

[investgarant]

Newest partner, Origin Protocol, announces they'll be using NuCypher for their sharing economy protocol:
https://medium.com/originprotocol/origin-nucypher-private-data-on-a-public-blockchain-ba6e6f85ecb8

[geronimo77]

Newest partner, Origin Protocol, announces they'll be using NuCypher for their sharing economy protocol:
https://medium.com/originprotocol/origin-nucypher-private-data-on-a-public-blockchain-ba6e6f85ecb8

Wow, that's a great news, thank you.
It is said that when two great thoughts meet, it will make a big thing. Just as Nucypher and Origin work together, this will probably bring great success to both projects.

[Silasa]

Love it due very less supply it is going to put the Market on fire its a good project looking it will give good profit to all invest

[NakiRR]

The whole idea of decentralized key management system makes me really interested, this thread needs to be more live.

this is not something completely new but for some reason it is surrounded by a lot of hype... i'm thinking about investing but i'm not even sure that i will be able to get in their white list when it will be available.

[idioma1]

To difficult graphics

[lagharto]

When we could see the announcement about whitelist launching? And where it will be at first?

[lagharto]

5 days without any admin's answer... very pity... this thread is dead )

[faragly]

NuCypher announces a partnership with @Deco_Network!!

Deconet is hosting a product development contest for developers to build with NuCypher (amongst other projects)

Official Press Release: https://medium.com/deconet/deconet-contest-spotlight-nucypher-b10e5ba7a915

[maclane_nucypher]

When we could see the announcement about whitelist launching? And where it will be at first?

We don't have an official estimate for when the whitelisting will begin.

Any official announcements will happen in the below channels:
- Telegram: https://t.me/nucypher
- Telegram ANN: https://t.me/nucypher_alerts
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/nucypher
- Mailing list: https://www.nucypher.com/newsletter
- Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/nucypherkms/

[lagharto]

When we could see the announcement about whitelist launching? And where it will be at first?

We don't have an official estimate for when the whitelisting will begin.

Any official announcements will happen in the below channels:
- Telegram: https://t.me/nucypher
- Telegram ANN: https://t.me/nucypher_alerts
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/nucypher
- Mailing list: https://www.nucypher.com/newsletter
- Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/nucypherkms/

Thank you for clarifying, i'm already signed to all these SM channels and will wait for updates.
i've already missed a lot of very good projects and don't want to lose the chance again)

[TVTVI]

One of my current top project at the moment is Nucypher. All-star ICO in my opinion, 78% on my spreadsheet. I intend to participate in token sale. But i also want participant bounty if any

[faragly]

Token Talks: How NuCypher Is Building Scalable Privacy In Blockchains
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/71NqSIBw1MIdGZH67G5f5d
- iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/token-talks-interviews-with-the-best-projects-in-crypto/id1362129613?mt=2

[Luka22]

Having another good privacy layer can't hurt anyone. I believe it will do well when it comes out due to the hype and quality of the project. Does anyone know when the white list will open up? Will invest if I can get in.

[AgatioX]

I have registered at this website, but I haven't received any mail yet. Do I know the correct?

[maclane_nucypher]

I have registered at this website, but I haven't received any mail yet. Do I know the correct?

It's ok, there aren't confirmation emails, but you'll get any newsletter updates.

[Luka22]

Any news on token sale date and whitelisting? Great project btw!

[lagharto]

Any news on token sale date and whitelisting? Great project btw!

afaik still no one news about this. i'm waiting it too.

[hoami55]

I really impressed how easy it worked and great jobs you did on your website! Congratulations to all dev team! Good luck to continue this job!!!

[Nicholasa]

Wow, for the first time I see such a project, cool, I will happily take part in it, I was intrigued)
egretia

[rairaimotobike]

Love it due very less supply it is going to put the Market on fire its a good project looking it will give good profit to all invest

[kable78]

The first decentralized and symbolized platform in the Spanish-speaking world, which pays users training.

[polonez]

 I have never runned a node before, but for sure I'm willing to, you guys will give us some tutorial/help to configure it?

[maclane_nucypher]

I have never runned a node before, but for sure I'm willing to, you guys will give us some tutorial/help to configure it?

Yes, we'll be providing recommended instructions for how to install, configure, and maintain a node(s).

[lagharto]

Still no news about whitelist launch? ...

[kalunomics]

Is this NuCypher's main ICO ANN or just an intuitive followers thread? No admin to answer numrous questions.

[Triop]

Is this NuCypher's main ICO ANN or just an intuitive followers thread? No admin to answer numrous questions.

they will publish guides prior to he public sale. On the whitepaper you can get a good idea on why nodes are needed and what they do, and at ICO price you will need between $2000-2500 to get one 👍

[lagharto]

I have never runned a node before, but for sure I'm willing to, you guys will give us some tutorial/help to configure it?

Yes, we'll be providing recommended instructions for how to install, configure, and maintain a node(s).

Does it mean that only people who installed the node can participate in your crowd sale? or they will have better conditions like a bigger personal cap etc. ?
And where can i find the instruction for installation on mac?

[takinz8888]

Many month without any admin's answer. very bad ... I believe this thread is dead )

[AgatioX]

For now are a lot off coins with masternods. Nucypher is probaly one of few with a real porpose and nodes. I will like to participate in a node

[lagharto]

For now are a lot off coins with masternods. Nucypher is probaly one of few with a real porpose and nodes. I will like to participate in a node

As far i understood it will be available only on spring 2019, so we still have a lot of time. I'm going to install the node too and waiting for updates from the team.

[n3482nba]

I like projects with new business models that exist in the development and rehabilitation of systems in cryptocurensy, as this will help and make it easier for everyone to feel comfortable doing business

[Samurai6]

Great project. Waiting for more details for investors

[paxmao]

Hi, I would like to reserve the Spanish WP translation if you decide to launch a Community Program or "Bounty Hunt". I can also manage the Spanish thread of your project. Please, see my portfolio here. I focus on quality over quantity, so I do not accept more than 3 or 4 translations and threads at the same time. Since you have an Spanish member in your team, from Universidad de Málaga, I am sure you can evaluate the quality of my work directly.

Sample:

NuCypher KMS is a decentralized Key Management System (KMS) that addresses the limitations
of using consensus networks to securely store and manipulate private, encrypted data [1].

NuCypher KMS es un Sistema de Gestión de Clave descentralizado (SGC) que aborda las limitaciones del uso de redes de consenso para almacenar y manipular datos encriptados privados de forma segura [1].

I wish you the best luck with this project. I will be applying for whitelisting when possible.

[maclane_nucypher]

Is this NuCypher's main ICO ANN or just an intuitive followers thread? No admin to answer numrous questions.

I don't regularly check this, but will occasionally answer questions. The officially supported community channels our linked on our website: https://www.nucypher.com/

[maclane_nucypher]

I have never runned a node before, but for sure I'm willing to, you guys will give us some tutorial/help to configure it?

Yes, we'll be providing recommended instructions for how to install, configure, and maintain a node(s).

Does it mean that only people who installed the node can participate in your crowd sale? or they will have better conditions like a bigger personal cap etc. ?
And where can i find the instruction for installation on mac?

TBD on whether you will be required to run a node to participate in the sale or not.

We will be publishing documentation on installing, configuring, and maintaining a node once the testnet is up in the next few weeks.

[maclane_nucypher]

Many month without any admin's answer. very bad ... I believe this thread is dead )

The channels we officially support are linked on our website: https://www.nucypher.com/

[TimeTeller]

I like projects with new business models that exist in the development and rehabilitation of systems in cryptocurensy, as this will help and make it easier for everyone to feel comfortable doing business

New business models means taking risk on the unknown.
I like that because you are exploring new dimensions of business.
But for potential investors, it's a high risk as you don't know if it will really work out or not.
But if it really hits off, then, that's a great one here.

[lilaj4de]

Regarding this ANN initial figure, the data encryption will be done in two ways, both at the beginning of the message until it reaches the recipient, but will one of those encryption be based on KMS?

[lagharto]

I have never runned a node before, but for sure I'm willing to, you guys will give us some tutorial/help to configure it?

Yes, we'll be providing recommended instructions for how to install, configure, and maintain a node(s).

Does it mean that only people who installed the node can participate in your crowd sale? or they will have better conditions like a bigger personal cap etc. ?
And where can i find the instruction for installation on mac?

TBD on whether you will be required to run a node to participate in the sale or not.

We will be publishing documentation on installing, configuring, and maintaining a node once the testnet is up in the next few weeks.

Good, waiting for updates, thank you Maclayne.
And when this conclusion will be accessible: "Solidity smart contract and network code audit from Least Authority and Trail of Bits."

[maclane_nucypher]

Regarding this ANN initial figure, the data encryption will be done in two ways, both at the beginning of the message until it reaches the recipient, but will one of those encryption be based on KMS?

Data gets encrypted by Alice, the data owner.

Data gets *re-encrypted* by the NuCypher network for Bob(s). (this is the piece NuCypher provides)

Data gets decrypted by Bob, the recipient.

Does that make sense?

[maclane_nucypher]

I have never runned a node before, but for sure I'm willing to, you guys will give us some tutorial/help to configure it?

Yes, we'll be providing recommended instructions for how to install, configure, and maintain a node(s).

Does it mean that only people who installed the node can participate in your crowd sale? or they will have better conditions like a bigger personal cap etc. ?
And where can i find the instruction for installation on mac?

TBD on whether you will be required to run a node to participate in the sale or not.

We will be publishing documentation on installing, configuring, and maintaining a node once the testnet is up in the next few weeks.

Good, waiting for updates, thank you Maclayne.
And when this conclusion will be accessible: "Solidity smart contract and network code audit from Least Authority and Trail of Bits."

The NCC Group audit of the Umbral cryptosystem is complete and we'll be publishing the report soon.

The Least Authority and Trail of Bits audits are still in progress. They'll be completed in the next month or so, and the reports will be published afterwards.

[lagharto]

I have never runned a node before, but for sure I'm willing to, you guys will give us some tutorial/help to configure it?

Yes, we'll be providing recommended instructions for how to install, configure, and maintain a node(s).

Does it mean that only people who installed the node can participate in your crowd sale? or they will have better conditions like a bigger personal cap etc. ?
And where can i find the instruction for installation on mac?

TBD on whether you will be required to run a node to participate in the sale or not.

We will be publishing documentation on installing, configuring, and maintaining a node once the testnet is up in the next few weeks.

Good, waiting for updates, thank you Maclayne.
And when this conclusion will be accessible: "Solidity smart contract and network code audit from Least Authority and Trail of Bits."

The NCC Group audit of the Umbral cryptosystem is complete and we'll be publishing the report soon.

The Least Authority and Trail of Bits audits are still in progress. They'll be completed in the next month or so, and the reports will be published afterwards.

Publish the results here please, i think a lot of users will be happy to read it and i'm pretty sure that everything will be ok in that reports and you will have a bit more project fans here:)

[maclane_nucypher]

Volume 8 of our Community Update https://blog.nucypher.com/community-update-8-ab377d1d610d

[Namita]

A very ambitious project indeed! In the current market you need to have a very promising idea with great teammembers

[faragly]

NuCypher has partnered with LegalThings One, the essence of the partnership is mainly related to the use of re-encryption and live contracts in the Electronic Patient Dossier (EPD)

https://medium.com/legalthingsone/nucypher-legalthings-one-epd-made-possible-by-live-contracts-and-re-encryption-db8cbd818ea2

[maclane_nucypher]

Our Mission & Values and why we're working on NuCypher 😃 https://blog.nucypher.com/nucyphers-mission-values-a94b2f1ce96e

[Kevala]

I hope this ico does what it says as many have tried and failed. It will be very interesting to have this as the first ico to have a debit card able to use crypto on everyday purchases. This idea is revolutionary and I wish this team all the best and success in this market.

[mangkel]

with the NuCypher project we so get cryptographic access control easily and anywhere, I think this is a very nice and safe also for in store

[maclane_nucypher]

We released a Go implementation of Umbral, our underlying cryptosystem, yesterday: https://blog.nucypher.com/introducing-goumbral-ce979e616359

[maclane_nucypher]

Proposed staking economics paper has been published: https://blog.nucypher.com/nucypher-staking-economics-a7bb56b20716

This analyzes the proposed inflation dynamics of the NuCypher system.

[Stellr]

I strongly support this project because this project is good concept and am optimistic this project will be successful and successful for me do not stop to hope for the success of this project. Smiley

[Vpbank2018]

A decentralized key management system based on blockchain is what the projects aim to provide which I think is a great concept and would be able to gain massive investors and collect large userbase with its concept and the team behind it is collectively most experienced and has executed the project nicely until now.

[geronimo77]

Why is PRE method more suitable for N: N communication than PKE method? And is there any further information / links for the use-case to manage a corporate password?

[lonesomestranger]

Bonjour Thales et STATION F  

Some further growth to announce:

Thales Group has accepted NuCypher for their Cybersecurity Programme at STATION F in Paris, France 🇫🇷. We look forward to exploring and creating opportunities with the other program members and Thales Group.

Read full story here: https://blog.nucypher.com/bonjour-thales-et-station-f-3b0423a86b66

[shewasfourteen]

NuCypher is coming to Berlin this week and we couldn't be happier to keep the EU tour going.

Our first event: ZK0X02, September 5, hosted by zeroknowledgefm

We'll be presenting on-chain verification of the NuCypher protocol with ZK proofs

http://www.zeroknowledge.fm/summit/

[bachduongkute]

The idea is very good and if you actually get on in actualizing your plans, then I think it will be good.

[ranggenga]

Read this thread several times and still don't get the idea of the project.
Is there any other things i could learn about this project.

[maclane_nucypher]

Why is PRE method more suitable for N: N communication than PKE method? And is there any further information / links for the use-case to manage a corporate password?

Imagine the following. You are trying to build an e2e encrypted group chat. For security, each message is encrypted with its own symmetric key, and you want to invite people to the chat or revoke access. You'd need to encrypt every message key for every participant.

Now imagine you want to grant access to all historical messages to a new participant. You'd need to encrypt a symmetric key for every historical message for him.

So, in brief, you reduce the number of cryptographic operations from `n_participants * n_objects` to just `n_objects`.

Now, imagine that participants would also need to encrypt messages (or files) they publish with everyone's public key. That's also not convenient and not necessarily always safe.

You can also check how e2e encryption / ACLs are currently being implemented in Swarm w/o using proxy re-encryption. They do pretty smart tricks to provide forward secrecy, but still, for every change they require the owner of the data to overwrite `log(N)` encrypted symmetric keys, and the owner of the data cannot trust third parties to write to their dataset.

[maclane_nucypher]

Read this thread several times and still don't get the idea of the project.
Is there any other things i could learn about this project.

This is a good overview talk by Arj, our product lead: https://youtu.be/J2kXIj6GTl0

[geronimo77]

What kind of use case would make sense when using origo network if we could use nucypher to create anonymity in existing blockchain?

[Trephyna]

This project seems cool to me .Hope this project will move further towards success.Good luck to everyone involved

[OlegK41]

Hello! Tell me please, do you have a Bounty campaign or airdrop? Give please the link.

[HARITE]

This idea is wonderful. I support you to become a concrete project. I also report to the community that I can spread.

[einsteinknaped]

This project very well it can help us control access to encrypted easy and whenever and where. I'm very pleased about it and people too.

[shewasfourteen]

Check out Numerology, our library for on-chain verification of re-encryption using ZKPs and other magic by David Nunez :
https://blog.nucypher.com/numerology-fast-ecc-arithmetic-on-chain-5eb438a735d4

[shewasfourteen]

NuCypher Community Update #11 is out. #ETHBerlin recap, Sputnik , and why society needs privacy-preserving crypto networks : https://blog.nucypher.com/nucypher-community-update-11-berlin-and-beyond-c6e922aebe5b

[lonesomestranger]

Hashing It Out #26: NuFHE – Michael Egorov and John “Tux” Pacific

Episode 26
October 10, 2018 — 59 mins
Guests: Michael Egorov & John Pacific

Great Caesar’s Ghost! NuCypher has demo’d a practical fully-homomorphic encryption (FHE) scheme that leverages an Ethereum smart contract for a proof mechanism. We get to go over FHE: what it is, how it works, how it commits to the blockchain, scaling issues, and the future of encrypted computation. This will enable new privacy mechanisms on layer 2 solutions which interface with the blockchain cheaply and efficiently. Very big stuff for anyone trying to use blockchain as a resolution mechanism but wants to hide their business rules in the process!

Links
https://blog.nucypher.com/releasing-nufhe-library-b5f9345dc1fb
https://github.com/nucypher/nufhe

[lonesomestranger]

Access control for real-world data, generated by real-world humans

We are asked frequently about real world use cases for NuCypher... So @tbitls put together this case study which maps NuCypher capabilities to real user objectives.

Case study: A network of on-the-ground Dataeum collectors continually generates valuable real-world data, selling on to location-based services (e.g. Yelp, Waze). A partner network of NuCypher proxies manages permissions, protects collector privacy, and enforces compensation.

Read more here: https://blog.nucypher.com/access-control-for-real-world-data-generated-by-real-world-humans-398a965b6af0

[shewasfourteen]

Community Update 13 — The first glimpse of Testnet
https://blog.nucypher.com/community-update-13-the-first-glimpse-of-testnet-15c7b095a115
NuCypher internal testnet presentation :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuY9WXK61gY

[maclane_nucypher]

I have never runned a node before, but for sure I'm willing to, you guys will give us some tutorial/help to configure it?

Yes, we'll be providing recommended instructions for how to install, configure, and maintain a node(s).

Does it mean that only people who installed the node can participate in your crowd sale? or they will have better conditions like a bigger personal cap etc. ?
And where can i find the instruction for installation on mac?

TBD on whether you will be required to run a node to participate in the sale or not.

We will be publishing documentation on installing, configuring, and maintaining a node once the testnet is up in the next few weeks.

Good, waiting for updates, thank you Maclayne.
And when this conclusion will be accessible: "Solidity smart contract and network code audit from Least Authority and Trail of Bits."

The NCC Group audit of the Umbral cryptosystem is complete and we'll be publishing the report soon.

The Least Authority and Trail of Bits audits are still in progress. They'll be completed in the next month or so, and the reports will be published afterwards.

Publish the results here please, i think a lot of users will be happy to read it and i'm pretty sure that everything will be ok in that reports and you will have a bit more project fans here:)

Here are the reports from Trail of Bits and NCC Group: https://blog.nucypher.com/security-audits-round-1-c662bdf957c

[dallas_btc]

Hello admin,
We added your project NuCypher to our listing - https://topexperts.io/ico/nucypher

[maclane_nucypher]

Genesis release is here: https://blog.nucypher.com/nucypher-genesis-release-321dca345d56

[ttg43]

Does anyone know, will be public sale here? Or tokens was sold by private investors?

[maclane_nucypher]

Does anyone know, will be public sale here? Or tokens was sold by private investors?

Not all the tokens have been sold. There will be a public distribution when mainnet goes live.

[ttg43]

Does anyone know, will be public sale here? Or tokens was sold by private investors?

Not all the tokens have been sold. There will be a public distribution when mainnet goes live.

When it will happens? And how much you provide for a public sale?

[maclane_nucypher]

Does anyone know, will be public sale here? Or tokens was sold by private investors?

Not all the tokens have been sold. There will be a public distribution when mainnet goes live.

When it will happens? And how much you provide for a public sale?

We're working towards a summer mainnet launch, which is when the tokens will go out as well.

[maclane_nucypher]

The NuCypher + CoinList hackathon started this week! There's still time to register if you want to build something with NuCypher for a chance to win a piece of the $25,000 prize pool: https://coinlist.co/build/nucypher

[maclane_nucypher]

The WorkLock: An improved token distribution model https://blog.nucypher.com/the-worklock/

[NullPlan]

Attention, there are many SCAM Pools on Telegram. For example Cycloud. Dont get scammed.

[Margary]

This project very well it can help us control access to encrypted easy and whenever and where. I'm very pleased about it and people too.

it gives us many benefits in use. before I did not see this. I will use this service. it is made qualitatively

[DashingAgent]

-------

NuCypher KMS: Decentralized key management system

We’re excited to share NuCypher KMS, a decentralized key management system (KMS) for public blockchains. With NuCypher KMS, an entirely new set of decentralized applications is unlocked for developers. Use cases requiring secure storage, sharing, and manipulation of private data can now be built on public blockchains, allowing for greater protection and control of private data.
The post below gives an overview and a detailed description can be found in our draft technical white paper.

What
NuCypher KMS provides encryption and cryptographic access controls, without reliance on a central service provider. It leverages state-of-the-art proxy re-encryption technology to allow re-keying encrypted data. This allows a decentralized network of nodes to provide key management operations, without accessing private keys or plaintext data.

How
The core technology is proxy re-encryption (PRE), a cryptographic primitive which allows a third-party proxy to transform ciphertexts from one public key to another (using re-encryption keys), without learning anything about the underlying message.

Main actors and interactions in a PRE environment
This ability to securely delegate access to private, encrypted information, makes PRE an ideal candidate for constructing cryptographic access controls for distributed systems such as blockchain, internet of things (IoT), and big data.
In NuCypher KMS, access controls are issued, enforced, and revoked via smart contracts executed by a decentralized network of re-encryption nodes. This network controls re-encryption keys and allows data owners to conditionally grant and revoke access to third-parties based on their public key.
Re-encryption nodes are incentivized to behave properly using a proof-of-stake NKMS token. If the nodes are malicious or defective, their deposit is forfeit. Correctly behaving nodes are incentivized to provide re-encryption services through payment in NKMS.

Use cases
NuCypher KMS enables public blockchains to securely store and manipulate secrets, giving decentralized applications a way to work with private data. But key management as a service is useful for centralized applications, too.
Potential use cases include:

• KMS-as-a-service for handling secrets in AWS instances (similar to Hashicorp Vault, Amazon Key Management etc);
• Safely storing encrypted secrets alongside code on GitHub;
• Decentralized Digital Rights Management (DDRM);
• Pay-to-view streaming;
• Encrypted digital content marketplaces;
• Private multi-user chats;
• Private, shareable file storage;
• Patients sharing medical records with healthcare providers;
• Blind identity management;
• Mobile device management and revocation.

Call for contributions
We’re very interested in the community’s suggestions and comments on the technical white paper — everything from security to token economics to functionality requests. We’re also excited to brainstorm use cases for NKMS and would love to hear your ideas. Your involvement will help inform the final, revised version of the white paper.

You can find a draft of the technical white paper and the GitHub repo.

Join our NuCypher KMS community. We look forward to answering your questions on:

• Reddit: /r/nucypherkms;
• Our Slack channel;
• Medium;
• Our Telegram group.

And to keep up to date with our future announcements, subscribe to our mailing list.