1
$\begingroup$

In the context of fully homomorphic encryption, what is the difference between bootstrapping and recryption, since both offer the same result which is trying to eliminate/decrease the noise budget.

Description of bootstrapping:

In certain homomorphic encryption schemes, arithmetic oper-
ations on ciphertext can be performed using basic gates (AND, OR, NOT, etc)
but arbitrary operations could reduce the available noise budget. Bootstrapping
is a technique to remove noise by passing a ciphertext and encrypted private
key into a circuit that represents the decryption algorithm of a FHE scheme. This
results in a new ciphertext that corresponds to the original ciphertext but with
no noise. In the TFHE library, after every gate-by-gate operation, bootstrap-
ping is applied on the resultant ciphertext and hence any number of arbitrary
operations can be performed.

Description of Re-encryption:

Recryption is a technique to re-generate the noise budget of a ci-
phertext that was depleted by arbitrary computations. Recryption boosts bounded-
depth homomorphism to unbounded-depth homomorphism. This implies that
the noisy ciphertext can be converted into a noise-free ciphertext (of the same
plaintext) without the secret key. Libraries that do not have recryption
functionality implemented, provide no means of converting a noisy ciphertext to
a noise-free ciphertext. They therefore limit the number of arbitrary computa-
tions on a ciphertext.
$\endgroup$
8
  • $\begingroup$ Bootstrapping is a re-encryption. This answer might be duplicate Can we proxy-re-encrypt using homomorphic encryption schemes? $\endgroup$
    – kelalaka
    Commented Feb 17, 2020 at 12:48
  • $\begingroup$ Does this also a duplicate? $\endgroup$
    – kelalaka
    Commented Feb 17, 2020 at 15:46
  • $\begingroup$ @kelalaka no unfortunatly it is not :( $\endgroup$
    – Daniel K
    Commented Feb 17, 2020 at 15:47
  • $\begingroup$ it talks only about one of the 2 not both $\endgroup$
    – Daniel K
    Commented Feb 17, 2020 at 15:47
  • $\begingroup$ Could you provide the links where you see them? You can edit your answer. $\endgroup$
    – kelalaka
    Commented Feb 17, 2020 at 15:48

0

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.