Into the Bytecode #45 – Quintus Kilbourn on TEEs and Secure Hardware
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Dec 6, 2024 Quintus Kilbourn, a researcher at Flashbots specializing in Trusted Execution Environments (TEEs) and secure hardware, shares insights into the world of secure tech. He delves into the fascinating use cases of TEEs, such as one-shot transactions and safeguarding AI agents. Quintus highlights the significance of unbreakable hardware enclaves and the threats posed by physical hardware access. The discussion also covers defending against supply chain attacks and the innovative techniques needed to secure sensitive data effectively.
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Flashbots and TEEs
- Flashbots' interest in TEEs stemmed from MEV research, where privacy and complex computation are crucial.
- They realized TEEs could solve these issues, offering stronger privacy than existing software solutions.
TEEs as Trusted Third Parties
- A TEE acts like a trusted third party, allowing code execution with confidentiality and integrity.
- It generates a key pair and certificate, enabling secure communication and verification.
One-Shot Programs and Blockchain-less Currency
- TEEs enable one-shot signatures and programs, similar to quantum cryptography, preventing replay attacks.
- This allows for blockchain-less digital currencies, where double-spends are prevented by design.