Title

AWS re:Invent 2023 - Protect sensitive data in use with AWS confidential computing (CMP307)

Summary

Arvind, JD Bean, and Alex Ruzidas from Stripe presented on AWS confidential computing and Nitro Enclaves.
Confidential computing is defined as using specialized hardware to protect data in use from unauthorized access.
AWS Nitro system provides default protection from AWS operators (Dimension 1 of security).
Nitro Enclaves offer isolated environments for sensitive data processing, protecting against even admin-level users (Dimension 2 of security).
Enclaves support cryptographic attestation, ensuring that only authorized code and data are processed.
Stripe shared their experience using Nitro Enclaves for securing cryptographic keys and sensitive data.
Other use cases include machine learning model protection, ad tech tokenization, multi-party collaboration, and blockchain workloads.
Resources for further learning include the Nitro Enclaves webpage, a self-paced workshop, and the Confidential Compute blog.

The Nitro system's design eliminates the need for AWS operators to access customer instances, enhancing security and privacy.
Nitro Enclaves can be used across various industries, not just for payment processing, indicating its versatility.
The absence of external network connectivity, persistent storage, and root user access in Enclaves ensures a high level of security.
The integration with AWS KMS and the ability to use other key management services provide flexibility in managing encryption keys.
Stripe's implementation highlights the practical benefits of using Nitro Enclaves, such as reduced toil, simplified deployment, and improved recovery times.
The session emphasized the importance of protecting data in use, which is becoming increasingly relevant due to regulatory and compliance requirements.
The move away from traditional hardware security modules towards more flexible and cost-effective solutions like Nitro Enclaves reflects a shift in how companies approach data security in the cloud.