One of the current applications of this technology is identity verification based on personal documents, such as ID cards or passports. Wider deployment is anticipated in the future—for example, in financial services, digital identity, artificial intelligence, or the protection of sensitive data within cybersecurity systems.
Technology from Stanford Heads to the Real World
The TACEO project emerged from research in modern cryptography, including at Stanford University, where the idea arose to distribute the computationally intensive generation of cryptographic proofs across multiple independent nodes within a coordinated network.
This approach significantly speeds up computations while enhancing the security of the entire process. The research know-how was subsequently successfully translated into practice in the form of a startup solution that is now building a global infrastructure for working with sensitive data.
Among the first users of this technology are projects focused on digital identity, such as the World ID initiative, which addresses the verification of a “unique individual” in the online environment.
Data Without Disclosure: The New Generation of Digital Infrastructure
The solution is based on zero-knowledge proofs and multi-party computation—methods that allow the accuracy of information to be mathematically verified without revealing the data itself.
“Joining the TACEO Network confirms that the Faculty of Electrical Engineering at CTU is actively involved in developing technologies that will shape the digital infrastructure of the future. The ability to work with data without sharing it is essential not only for the digital economy but also for cybersecurity, which is one of our key priorities in both teaching and research,” says Prof. Petr Páta, Dean of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering at CTU.
“We are pleased to welcome the Faculty of Electrical Engineering at CTU as our partner for the Czech Republic in the TACEO Network. The team has demonstrated strong commitment and a high technical level and played an important role in bringing the network into production. Collaboration with leading technical universities strengthens our global network with trusted operators who share our vision of secure data processing without the need for data disclosure. Academic institutions are key to building the trust upon which this entire infrastructure is based,” says Lukas Helminger, co-founder and CEO of TACEO.
Computationally intensive operations within the TACEO Network are distributed across multiple independent nodes around the world, which together form a shared computing layer. Each node processes only a portion of the computation, thereby increasing the efficiency and security of the entire system.
FEL’s Role: Trusted Node Operator
FEL CTU operates one of the nodes in this network, participates in the computations, and ensures the availability of its computational layer.
“Our role consists of operating a node that is part of the distributed infrastructure. We participate in the computations while guaranteeing the reliability and security of operations. Trust is key here—none of the operators has access to the complete data,” explains Ing. Jan Kočí, Vice Dean for IT at FEL CTU.
It is precisely the trustworthiness of the operators that is one of the reasons why network operators choose universities as partners.
How the technology works in practice
For example, the technology makes it possible to verify identity without having to disclose sensitive data. This data is distributed across the TACEO Network in the form of encrypted shares, and the network’s nodes collectively generate cryptographic proof of the individual’s attributes. This proof is then verified by the application requesting authentication.
“A simple example is age verification—instead of presenting an ID card, a mathematical proof that the user is over 18 is sufficient. Meanwhile, no one sees the actual data,” explains Ing. Luboš Harašta, head of the Blockchain Lab at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague.
Calculations run in parallel across multiple nodes, each processing only a portion of the data. This makes the entire process faster and more secure.
Students are also involved in the project
FEL students are gradually becoming involved in the project, gaining experience with operating highly available infrastructure and modern cryptography. The faculty also plans to further develop this area in both teaching and research, particularly in the context of cybersecurity and data protection. “We are at the beginning of a new technological field. We want to be part of it, develop our expertise, and involve students and researchers in topics that have a global impact,” adds Harašta.
FEL CTU at the Forefront of a New Digital Layer
Joining the TACEO Network presents an opportunity for FEL CTU to be part of an emerging global infrastructure that has the potential to play a key role in the future of digital identity, security, and data processing.
The faculty thus reaffirms its role as a partner in international technology projects and strengthens its position in the fields of modern cryptography, cybersecurity, and digital technologies.
Photo courtesy of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1xQfylBsrwSzU1lU2j97wTgFnIXeDaQeX?usp=sharing