Technical infrastructure
This section details the privacy technologies that support the operation of the Secret Network, especially Trusted Execution Environments (TEEs), which ensure the security of data throughout its processing lifecycle. The section explains how the Confidential Computing Layer of Secret enables developers to perform encrypted computations, thereby protecting the privacy of user data on the chain. It also describes its integration with architectures such as CosmWasm and other components of the Cosmos ecosystem (including IBC for cross-chain compatibility), and emphasizes the tools developers use to interact with the network, such as SecretCLI.
Privacy technology
The core of Secret Network's ability to provide privacy protection for blockchain transactions and smart contract execution lies in Trusted Execution Environments (TEEs). TEEs are critical components of network infrastructure that ensure data confidentiality and security throughout its entire lifecycle.
The trusted execution environment is a secure area provided inside the processor, ensuring that the data being processed is isolated from other processes (including processes run by the operating system or other applications). This isolation mechanism can protect data from unauthorized access or tampering, ensuring data security even if the external system is attacked.
In Secret Network, TEEs are used to securely execute the logic of secret contracts. When the network executes a secret contract, the involved data (including inputs, outputs, and state) is always encrypted and only decrypted within the TEE, ensuring that no sensitive information is exposed to other participants in the network, even node operators. This design not only protects the security of the data but also maintains the integrity and confidentiality of the computation.
The advantages of TEEs in Secret Network
- Data privacyBy encrypting all data related to smart contracts, TEEs ensure the confidentiality of information, thus addressing the main privacy concerns in a public blockchain environment.
- Security of Defensive AttacksThe isolation environment of TEE can effectively defend against external attacks and internal threats, making it difficult for attackers to obtain sensitive data.
- Enhance TrustThe use of TEEs enhances the credibility of the blockchain network, and users can be confident that their data will be securely and privately processed.
Despite the significant advantages of TEEs, they also face some challenges, especially in terms of scalability and potential vulnerabilities of TEE itself. Secret Network addresses these issues by continuously updating and strengthening TEE technology, as well as implementing robust network protocols to ensure that even if a TEE is compromised, the entire network can still remain secure.
Confidential Computing Layer
One of Secret Network's unique advantages is its Confidential Computing Layer, which provides decentralized confidential computing (DeCC) for decentralized applications (dApps) on various blockchain ecosystems such as EVM chains, Cosmos SDK chains, and Solana. Through this layer, developers can store, compute, and query encrypted data, opening up new possibilities for privacy-focused applications.
On most blockchains, all data is public by default. However, Secret Network solves this limitation by supporting dApps and secret contracts (Secret Contracts) for secure communication, allowing for storage and computation of encrypted data without exposing it on the chain. The privacy-preserving layer enables private voting, secure random number generation (RNG), encrypted storage, privacy NFTs, sealed-bid auctions, and confidential document management, while ensuring privacy and security. These use cases demonstrate the versatility and security that Secret Network brings to the blockchain field.
Working principle
Developers can use Secret Contracts to confidentially process data, and the input data is encrypted on the chain. This mechanism is particularly useful for applications such as verifiable on-chain random number generation, as the seed values used to generate random numbers are always kept hidden.
Confidential contracts allow users to send encrypted data, compare it with other data sources, and return verified results without exposing any sensitive details. This feature supports secure logins and transactions, while protecting the security of user information during verification.
Through integrations with SecretPath, IBC, and Axelar GMP, the Secret Network's secure computation layer is able to interact with almost any blockchain, enabling seamless communication and processing of cross-chain encrypted data.
Secret Network architecture
Integration of CosmWasm
CosmWasm plays a central role in the architecture of the Secret Network, supporting its interaction with the broader Cosmos ecosystem. CosmWasm is an intelligent contract module that can build interoperable multi-chain applications. It provides a WebAssembly (WASM) execution environment, allowing developers to write smart contracts using languages that can be compiled to WASM, such as Rust.
The functions and advantages of CosmWasm
Interoperability
By integrating CosmWasm, Secret Network leverages Cosmos' Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC) protocol to maintain its privacy features when interacting with other blockchains in the Cosmos network. This interoperability is crucial for expanding the applications and functionalities of Secret Network's privacy-preserving contracts.
Flexibility
CosmWasm enhances the capabilities of the Secret Network by enabling the development of smart contracts in a secure and modular manner. This flexibility is particularly important for building complex decentralized applications that require privacy protection and cross-chain functionality.
Enhanced security
The WASM runtime environment provides an additional layer of security, isolating the execution of smart contracts from the core blockchain system. This design helps to reduce potential risks and vulnerabilities associated with smart contract execution.
SecretCLI
SecretCLI is a command line interface tool designed to support users and developers in various interactions with the Secret Network. It serves as a bridge between end users and the blockchain, enabling efficient execution of transactions, contract deployment, and network status queries.
Functionality of SecretCLI
Trading Management
Users can send SCRT tokens, interact with smart contracts, or stake SCRT to participate in governance through SecretCLI. This makes it a versatile tool for managing blockchain activities.Smart Contract Deployment
Developers can use SecretCLI to deploy and interact with secret contracts, including compiling contracts, uploading contracts to the blockchain, and executing contract functions.Query network data
SecretCLI provides the functionality to query blockchain data, such as account balances, transaction records, and staking details. This functionality is crucial for users and developers to monitor and analyze network activities.
The combination of CosmWasm and SecretCLI highlights Secret Network's commitment to providing a developer-friendly environment, supporting privacy, security, and interoperability. This technological infrastructure not only enhances the network's capabilities but also aligns closely with its vision of building a secure, private, and decentralized application ecosystem.
Technical infrastructure
This section details the privacy technologies that support the operation of the Secret Network, especially Trusted Execution Environments (TEEs), which ensure the security of data throughout its processing lifecycle. The section explains how the Confidential Computing Layer of Secret enables developers to perform encrypted computations, thereby protecting the privacy of user data on the chain. It also describes its integration with architectures such as CosmWasm and other components of the Cosmos ecosystem (including IBC for cross-chain compatibility), and emphasizes the tools developers use to interact with the network, such as SecretCLI.
Privacy technology
The core of Secret Network's ability to provide privacy protection for blockchain transactions and smart contract execution lies in Trusted Execution Environments (TEEs). TEEs are critical components of network infrastructure that ensure data confidentiality and security throughout its entire lifecycle.
The trusted execution environment is a secure area provided inside the processor, ensuring that the data being processed is isolated from other processes (including processes run by the operating system or other applications). This isolation mechanism can protect data from unauthorized access or tampering, ensuring data security even if the external system is attacked.
In Secret Network, TEEs are used to securely execute the logic of secret contracts. When the network executes a secret contract, the involved data (including inputs, outputs, and state) is always encrypted and only decrypted within the TEE, ensuring that no sensitive information is exposed to other participants in the network, even node operators. This design not only protects the security of the data but also maintains the integrity and confidentiality of the computation.
The advantages of TEEs in Secret Network
- Data privacyBy encrypting all data related to smart contracts, TEEs ensure the confidentiality of information, thus addressing the main privacy concerns in a public blockchain environment.
- Security of Defensive AttacksThe isolation environment of TEE can effectively defend against external attacks and internal threats, making it difficult for attackers to obtain sensitive data.
- Enhance TrustThe use of TEEs enhances the credibility of the blockchain network, and users can be confident that their data will be securely and privately processed.
Despite the significant advantages of TEEs, they also face some challenges, especially in terms of scalability and potential vulnerabilities of TEE itself. Secret Network addresses these issues by continuously updating and strengthening TEE technology, as well as implementing robust network protocols to ensure that even if a TEE is compromised, the entire network can still remain secure.
Confidential Computing Layer
One of Secret Network's unique advantages is its Confidential Computing Layer, which provides decentralized confidential computing (DeCC) for decentralized applications (dApps) on various blockchain ecosystems such as EVM chains, Cosmos SDK chains, and Solana. Through this layer, developers can store, compute, and query encrypted data, opening up new possibilities for privacy-focused applications.
On most blockchains, all data is public by default. However, Secret Network solves this limitation by supporting dApps and secret contracts (Secret Contracts) for secure communication, allowing for storage and computation of encrypted data without exposing it on the chain. The privacy-preserving layer enables private voting, secure random number generation (RNG), encrypted storage, privacy NFTs, sealed-bid auctions, and confidential document management, while ensuring privacy and security. These use cases demonstrate the versatility and security that Secret Network brings to the blockchain field.
Working principle
Developers can use Secret Contracts to confidentially process data, and the input data is encrypted on the chain. This mechanism is particularly useful for applications such as verifiable on-chain random number generation, as the seed values used to generate random numbers are always kept hidden.
Confidential contracts allow users to send encrypted data, compare it with other data sources, and return verified results without exposing any sensitive details. This feature supports secure logins and transactions, while protecting the security of user information during verification.
Through integrations with SecretPath, IBC, and Axelar GMP, the Secret Network's secure computation layer is able to interact with almost any blockchain, enabling seamless communication and processing of cross-chain encrypted data.
Secret Network architecture
Integration of CosmWasm
CosmWasm plays a central role in the architecture of the Secret Network, supporting its interaction with the broader Cosmos ecosystem. CosmWasm is an intelligent contract module that can build interoperable multi-chain applications. It provides a WebAssembly (WASM) execution environment, allowing developers to write smart contracts using languages that can be compiled to WASM, such as Rust.
The functions and advantages of CosmWasm
Interoperability
By integrating CosmWasm, Secret Network leverages Cosmos' Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC) protocol to maintain its privacy features when interacting with other blockchains in the Cosmos network. This interoperability is crucial for expanding the applications and functionalities of Secret Network's privacy-preserving contracts.
Flexibility
CosmWasm enhances the capabilities of the Secret Network by enabling the development of smart contracts in a secure and modular manner. This flexibility is particularly important for building complex decentralized applications that require privacy protection and cross-chain functionality.
Enhanced security
The WASM runtime environment provides an additional layer of security, isolating the execution of smart contracts from the core blockchain system. This design helps to reduce potential risks and vulnerabilities associated with smart contract execution.
SecretCLI
SecretCLI is a command line interface tool designed to support users and developers in various interactions with the Secret Network. It serves as a bridge between end users and the blockchain, enabling efficient execution of transactions, contract deployment, and network status queries.
Functionality of SecretCLI
Trading Management
Users can send SCRT tokens, interact with smart contracts, or stake SCRT to participate in governance through SecretCLI. This makes it a versatile tool for managing blockchain activities.Smart Contract Deployment
Developers can use SecretCLI to deploy and interact with secret contracts, including compiling contracts, uploading contracts to the blockchain, and executing contract functions.Query network data
SecretCLI provides the functionality to query blockchain data, such as account balances, transaction records, and staking details. This functionality is crucial for users and developers to monitor and analyze network activities.
The combination of CosmWasm and SecretCLI highlights Secret Network's commitment to providing a developer-friendly environment, supporting privacy, security, and interoperability. This technological infrastructure not only enhances the network's capabilities but also aligns closely with its vision of building a secure, private, and decentralized application ecosystem.