The implemented solution lowers the risk of data exfiltration by ensuring that, when data is processed in memory and encrypted, it remains inaccessible and unobtainable by any privileged accounts.

In addition, the collaboration offers Cohesity customers a method to confirm the authenticity of their Intel SGX using the Intel Trust Authority. This system, equipped with the latest security updates, exclusively allows the Cohesity application to operate before the retrieval of the data encryption key, enhancing the security measures in place for customer data.

“With Intel SGX, Intel Trust Authority, and confidential computing, our customers will benefit from reduced risk and increased security in cloud environments, allowing them to focus on what really matters, their business,” Sanjay Poonen, CEO and President of Cohesity said in a press note.

Relevance as insider threats rise

According to a report from the Ponemon Institute, the financial impact of cybersecurity threats originating from insiders within organizations increased throughout 2023. The total average cost of insider risk rose from $15.4 million in 2022 to $16.2 million in 2023.

Manish Rawat, an analyst at Techinsights, pointed out that Intel’s secure computing, made possible by Intel SGX, protects information while it is being processed actively in memory, preventing illegal access and reducing the risk of insider threats and breaches.

“By encrypting data in memory, cohesiveness solves the risk of data exfiltration by making it difficult for hackers to steal, even in the event that they manage to get past network security,” Rawat said. “This method helps organizations like finance and healthcare comply with strict regulations while strengthening data confidentiality. Furthermore, Cohesity’s integration of Intel’s secret computing capabilities strengthens cloud security as its use grows, providing encryption layers for processing and storing sensitive data.”