A layered searchable encryption scheme with functional components independent of encryption methods.

Area of Science:

• Computer Science
• Cryptography
• Information Security

Background:

• Searchable encryption allows secure cloud data storage and searching.
• Current methods lack compatibility between symmetric/asymmetric settings and diverse functionalities.
• This limits application scope and functional extensions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a unified and flexible searchable encryption scheme.
• To enhance compatibility between different encryption settings and search functions.
• To enable secure and versatile data searching in cloud environments.

Main Methods:

• Developed a layered searchable encryption (LSE) scheme.
• Proved convertibility between asymmetric and symmetric searchable structures.
• Decoupled functional components from the core searchable structure.
• Utilized uniform mappings for interoperability.

Main Results:

• LSE ensures compatibility across symmetric and asymmetric encryption settings.
• Functional components can be loosely coupled and support both settings.
• Novel constructions for ranked keyword and range queries are presented.
• Achieved enhanced flexibility and security for cloud data searching.

Conclusions:

• The LSE scheme offers a unified approach to searchable encryption.
• It significantly improves compatibility, flexibility, and security for cloud data.
• LSE facilitates broader applications and easier functional extensions.