SecPQ: Secure Prediction Queries on Encrypted Outsourced Databases

Jinwen Liang*, Song Guo, Zicong Hong*, Enyuan Zhou, Chuan Zhang*, Bin Xiao

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Prediction queries have revolutionized data search by integrating machine learning models and traditional data processing operations for advanced analytics. However, existing prediction query frameworks for outsourced databases face a critical security vulnerability: data flows are processed in plaintext on semi-honest servers, making them susceptible to data breaches. The main challenge in achieving secure prediction queries is that machine learning inference and data processing operations are distinct functionalities, while most current cryptographic frameworks support only a single type of operation on specific encrypted data. To bridge this crucial gap, we propose SecPQ, the first framework tailored for secure prediction queries. Our approach unifies decision tree pipelines and data processing operations, such as selection, projection, and equality-joining, through equality matching on encrypted outsourced data. This enables the design of secure prediction queries with decision tree pipelines operating on encrypted data. We provide formal security definitions and proofs for SecPQ. To further optimize the efficiency of secure prediction queries, we leverage order-preserving encryption to construct SecPQope, which offers improved query efficiency at the expense of weaker security properties compared with SecPQ. Extensive experimental evaluations on billions of records demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of both SecPQ and SecPQope.

Original languageEnglish
JournalIEEE Transactions on Dependable and Secure Computing
DOIs
Publication statusAccepted/In press - 2025

Keywords

  • Encrypted Databases
  • Machine Learning Models
  • Prediction Queries
  • Searchable Encryption

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