In a move set to strengthen its position in cloud security and confidential artificial intelligence (AI), French deeptech company Cosmian has announced the appointment of David Pointcheval as its new Chief Scientific Officer. Pointcheval, a globally recognised figure in cryptography, will take on a more central role at Cosmian, a company he has advised since its founding.
Known for his pioneering research in cryptography, Pointcheval’s appointment represents a significant milestone for Cosmian, which is positioning itself at the forefront of cutting-edge cloud security technologies. The company specialises in developing innovative encryption solutions aimed at ensuring the security of data stored and processed in public cloud environments. This area of expertise has become increasingly critical as businesses across the globe grapple with the need to protect sensitive information from ever-evolving cyber threats.
Building on a History of Collaboration
David Pointcheval’s association with Cosmian is not new. He has been involved with the Paris-based deeptech firm from its early days, offering guidance on its scientific and technical developments. During this time, he played a key role in the development of some of Cosmian’s flagship technologies, including Covercrypt, a post-quantum encryption algorithm, and Findex, an encrypted search engine designed to allow data searches without exposing the underlying information.
His transition from advisor to Chief Scientific Officer marks a deepening of this relationship and signals Cosmian’s ambition to further accelerate its growth and innovation in the increasingly vital field of cloud security.
“Joining Cosmian is a natural step in my career, having been involved in this extraordinary adventure from the beginning,” Pointcheval said in a statement. “I am excited to work even more closely with the team to accelerate its development. My entrepreneurial drive finds a perfect platform here to innovate and transform our scientific knowledge into concrete solutions.”
Pointcheval’s appointment comes as Cosmian continues to expand its product offerings, with a particular focus on developing next-generation security solutions that are resistant to the growing threats posed by quantum computing. Quantum computers, which are still in their developmental stages, have the potential to break many of the encryption methods currently used to secure data. Cosmian’s work on post-quantum encryption algorithms is therefore crucial in safeguarding data in the future.
Leading the Way in Public Cloud Security
Cosmian’s primary focus is on securing data in public cloud environments. Public cloud services, which allow businesses to store and manage data remotely, have become an integral part of modern computing infrastructure. However, the use of public clouds also presents significant security challenges, particularly when it comes to protecting sensitive information from unauthorised access. This is where Cosmian’s encryption technologies come into play.
Cosmian’s innovations enable the encryption of data while allowing for its secure processing and analysis. This concept, known as confidential computing, is becoming an increasingly important field, especially as businesses and governments face mounting regulatory pressures to ensure the privacy of their data. By developing advanced encryption technologies, Cosmian is helping to address these challenges, enabling organisations to use public cloud services without compromising security.
David Pointcheval’s expertise in cryptography is expected to play a crucial role in advancing these efforts. Over his distinguished career, he has made significant contributions to the field of cryptography, including the development of new encryption techniques and protocols. His work has been widely published in academic journals, and he is regarded as one of the leading experts in the field.
“David Pointcheval’s appointment is a key milestone for Cosmian as we continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in cloud security and confidential AI,” said Sandrine Murcia, CEO of Cosmian. “His extensive expertise in cryptography and his proven track record of innovation will be invaluable as we work to develop the next generation of encryption technologies.”
Post-Quantum Cryptography and Confidential AI
One of the areas where Pointcheval’s expertise is likely to be most valuable is in the development of post-quantum cryptography. As quantum computing technology continues to evolve, there is growing concern that the encryption methods used today could become obsolete in the near future. Quantum computers are expected to have the ability to solve complex mathematical problems that underpin many of today’s encryption algorithms, potentially exposing vast amounts of sensitive data to cyber-attacks.
Cosmian’s post-quantum encryption algorithm, Covercrypt, which Pointcheval helped to co-develop, is designed to address this issue by providing a new level of security that can withstand attacks from quantum computers. This technology is seen as a key component in the future of cloud security, and Cosmian’s work in this area positions the company at the forefront of the industry.
In addition to post-quantum cryptography, Cosmian is also working on developing technologies for confidential AI, which aims to ensure the privacy and security of data used in AI applications. As AI becomes increasingly integrated into various industries, the need to protect the data used in AI systems is becoming more urgent. Cosmian’s encrypted search technology, Findex, is an example of how the company is addressing this challenge by allowing data to be searched and analysed without exposing the underlying information.
A Bright Future for Cosmian
David Pointcheval’s appointment as Chief Scientific Officer is a clear indication that Cosmian is serious about its ambition to become a leader in cloud security and confidential AI. With Pointcheval’s expertise and the company’s ongoing focus on innovation, Cosmian is well-positioned to continue pushing the boundaries of what is possible in cloud computing security.
As businesses around the world increasingly rely on public cloud services, the demand for advanced encryption technologies is set to grow. With its cutting-edge solutions and the leadership of one of the world’s foremost cryptography experts, Cosmian is poised to play a central role in shaping the future of cloud security.
