About us
Learn how GA4GH helps expand responsible genomic data use to benefit human health.
Genetic Data Encryption (Crypt4GH)
Provides an encrypted file format to keep data secure throughout its lifetime while allowing random access
Widespread genomic data sharing between researchers and clinicians is crucial to maximise the utility of datasets and deliver better patient outcomes. However, sharing information across networks and countries increases the risk of a data breach. Strong approaches to security are paramount when working with genomic data. Developed by the GA4GH Large Scale Genomics (LSG) Work Stream, Crypt4GH is a file format that employs industry standards to keep genomic data secure.
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Benefits
- Allows data to be secure throughout its lifetime — from storage, to transfer, to analysis
- Can be added as an input file format to tools and applications
- Is supported by existing applications such as SAMTools
- Makes it easy to create files accessible to individual users
Target users
Researchers, and data custodians
Image summary: Crypt4GH helps researchers keep data secure throughout their lifetime — from transit to storage.
THEME
CATEGORY
TYPE
STATUS
Work Stream
LATEST VERSION
Product Lead
- Alexander Senf
Staff Contact
Tools & Platforms
Publications
Community resources
Dive deeper into this product! Researchers securely share genomic and other sensitive data files using industry-standard encryption, keeping sensitive information secure during transfer. But proper safeguarding of the data thereafter is not guaranteed: a user may store the file on their local hard drive in a decrypted state, leaving the data vulnerable. To overcome this challenge, Crypt4GH uses envelope encryption to keep data secure throughout its lifetime. In this process, the data itself is encrypted for a specific recipient who then uses their associated private key to unlock the file. Furthermore, Crypt4GH enables random access without the need to decrypt the entire file. The data are hence always secured — from transfer, to analysis, to storage.
Date
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Info
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Version
21 Oct 2019
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15 Dec 2023
14 Sep 2023
11 Mar 2023
4 Jan 2022
8 Dec 2020
All of Us Research Program
European Joint Programme on Rare Disease (EJP RD)
European Genome-phenome Archive (EGA)
ELIXIR Beacon
EpiShare
European Genome-phenome Archive (EGA), EMBL's European Bioinformatics Institute (EBI), Centre for Genomic Regulation
Human Heredity and Health in Africa (H3Africa)
Don't see your name? Get in touch:
- Dixie Baker
Martin, Blanck and Associates - Robert Davies
Wellcome Sanger Institute (WSI) - Oliver Hofmann
University of Melbourne Centre for Cancer Research - John Marshall
University of Glasgow - Martin Pollard
Wellcome Sanger Institute (WSI) - Alexander Senf
Congenica
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