PRESS RELEASE

ARMONK, N.Y., Oct. 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- IBM (NYSE: IBM) inventors have developed a technique for protecting sensitive data prior to transmitting it to the cloud. The patented invention will overcome barriers to client adoption of cloud computing solutions by ensuring that private or proprietary information is secured before transferring it for processing by cloud computing services.

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IBM's patented security invention addresses cloud computing apprehensions by helping clients effectively protect confidential and private information in the cloud. This can help businesses meet regulatory requirements regarding the handling of sensitive client data. IBM received U.S. Patent #8,539,597: Securing sensitive data for cloud computing for the invention.

"Patents like this help to solve real-world security challenges that are inhibiting cloud computing growth," said Josyula Rao, IBM Director of Security Research. "IBM's investment in research and development is producing innovations that will advance the company's cloud computing and security leadership."

Maintaining the privacy and security of sensitive data is frequently cited as one of the main reasons for client anxiety about cloud computing. Consequently, protecting vulnerable data from unintended exposure is a prerequisite for cloud service providers.

IBM's invention helps overcome security concerns by redacting, removing or replacing sensitive data from records that are being sent to the cloud for processing. It then restores the sensitive data when the records are returned from the cloud.

IBM's patented cloud technique enables clients to use cloud-based services without risking the release of sensitive data into cloud environments, alleviating security and privacy concerns due to information disclosure or attribution.

IBM provides the security intelligence to help organizations protect their people, data, applications and infrastructure. IBM operates one of the world's broadest security research and development organizations. IBM manages and monitors 15 billion security events every day for nearly 4,000 clients around the world and holds more than 3,000 security patents. For more information on IBM security, please visit: www.ibm.com/security.