Gilles Crofils

Gilles Crofils

Hands-On Chief Technology Officer

Based in Western Europe, I'm a tech enthusiast with a track record of successfully leading digital projects for both local and global companies.1974 Birth.
1984 Delved into coding.
1999 Failed my First Startup in Science Popularization.
2010 Co-founded an IT Services Company in Paris/Beijing.
2017 Led a Transformation Plan for SwitchUp in Berlin.
April. 2025 Eager to Build the Next Milestone Together with You.

Next-Generation Homomorphic Encryption

Abstract:

As a CTO, data encryption and privacy-preserving computation are crucial for securing data during use and transit. Homomorphic Encryption (HE) and Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE) allow computations on encrypted data without decryption, extending security to computational processes. Implementing these techniques ensures regulatory compliance, enables secure data processing, and facilitates collaborative analytics. However, challenges like computational complexity and performance overhead exist. To address these, CTOs and technology leaders must select suitable encryption techniques, invest in infrastructure upgrades, monitor performance, and promote continuous learning. Embracing advanced encryption techniques can balance data security, innovation, and growth, benefitting organizations, customers, and the technology landscape.

Envision an abstract, digital landscape that encapsulates the idea of dynamic, secure data encryption. Picture a network of nodes, each shielded within gleaming, translucent blue orbs suggesting encrypted data packets. These nodes are tied by rivulets of glowing, encrypted data, their light soft and ethereal, set against a celestial navy blue backdrop, hinting at an expansive, secure digital cosmos. Foregrounded is a grand, digital phoenix, its plumage decorated with binary code and mathematical symbols, signifying the evolving capabilities of Homomorphic Encryption (HE) and Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE). This legendary creature is depicted rising, carving a path through the network, personifying the progressive exploration of data safety. The sky is lit by a constellation resembling a padlock, epitomizing the central theme of data protection and fortification in the advanced digital encryption epoch.
Homomorphic Encryption, Data Privacy, and Secure Data Processing: A CTO's Perspective on Technology and Engineering Leadership

The Role of the CTO, Directors of Technologies, and Directors of Engineering in Data Encryption and Privacy-Preserving Computation

As a Chief Technology Officer (CTO), I've come to appreciate the crucial role that data encryption and privacy-preserving computation play in today's technology landscape. Collaborating with Directors of Technologies and Directors of Engineering, we ensure that our organization's data remains secure, even when in use or transit. This partnership in protecting our data assets is vital, given the growing need for advanced encryption techniques such as Homomorphic Encryption and Fully Homomorphic Encryption.

Understanding Homomorphic Encryption and Fully Homomorphic Encryption

Data encryption has long been an essential aspect of cybersecurity, and recent advances have introduced Homomorphic Encryption (HE) and Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE). These encryption techniques enable computations to be carried out on encrypted data without the need for decryption, maintaining data confidentiality throughout the process.

Whereas traditional symmetric and asymmetric encryption methods protect data during storage and transfer, HE and FHE extend encryption's reach to computational processes. These methods provide an additional layer of security, enabling organizations to perform computations on sensitive data without exposing the raw information. They also help maintain regulatory compliance regarding data privacy and security by minimizing the risk of data breaches.

Privacy-Preserving Computation and Secure Data Processing

The implementation of HE and FHE in privacy-preserving computation and secure data processing offers tremendous potential for technology and engineering organizations. By processing encrypted data, sensitive information remains protected even when shared with third-party service providers. This added security layer enables collaborative analytics and insights, ensuring data privacy while facilitating innovation and growth.

As CTO, I recognize that implementing privacy-preserving computation and secure data processing calls for a well-coordinated, cross-functional effort involving Directors of Technologies, Directors of Engineering, and other key stakeholders. Fostering a culture of security and privacy throughout the organization is vital, as is adopting cutting-edge encryption technologies that protect our data assets without compromising operational efficiency.

Implementing Homomorphic Encryption and Fully Homomorphic Encryption: Challenges and Opportunities

Despite their promising potential, the widespread adoption of HE and FHE faces challenges related to computational complexity and performance overhead. These encryption methods require significant processing power, which can impact system performance and user experience. To overcome these challenges, CTOs, Directors of Technologies, and Directors of Engineering must work together to:

  • Evaluate and select the most appropriate encryption techniques tailored to the organization's unique needs and requirements.
  • Invest in hardware and infrastructure upgrades to support the increased processing demands of HE and FHE.
  • Establish robust performance monitoring and optimization practices to ensure seamless integration of encryption technologies into existing systems and workflows.
  • Encourage continuous learning and skill development for technology and engineering teams, ensuring they stay abreast of advancements in encryption technologies and best practices.

A Unified Vision for Data Encryption and Privacy-Preserving Computation

As technology and engineering leaders, it is our responsibility to balance the need for data security with the pursuit of innovation and growth. By embracing advanced encryption techniques like Homomorphic Encryption and Fully Homomorphic Encryption, we can unlock the potential of privacy-preserving computation and secure data processing, ultimately benefiting our organizations, customers, and the broader technology landscape. Through collaboration, continuous learning, and a commitment to data privacy, CTOs, Directors of Technologies, and Directors of Engineering can ensure a secure and prosperous future for technology and engineering organizations.

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25 Years in IT: A Journey of Expertise

2024-

My Own Adventures
(Lisbon/Remote)

AI Enthusiast & Explorer
As Head of My Own Adventures, I’ve delved into AI, not just as a hobby but as a full-blown quest. I’ve led ambitious personal projects, challenged the frontiers of my own curiosity, and explored the vast realms of machine learning. No deadlines or stress—just the occasional existential crisis about AI taking over the world.

2017 - 2023

SwitchUp
(Berlin/Remote)

Hands-On Chief Technology Officer
For this rapidly growing startup, established in 2014 and focused on developing a smart assistant for managing energy subscription plans, I led a transformative initiative to shift from a monolithic Rails application to a scalable, high-load architecture based on microservices.
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2010 - 2017

Second Bureau
(Beijing/Paris)

CTO / Managing Director Asia
I played a pivotal role as a CTO and Managing director of this IT Services company, where we specialized in assisting local, state-owned, and international companies in crafting and implementing their digital marketing strategies. I hired and managed a team of 17 engineers.
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SwitchUp Logo

SwitchUp
SwitchUp is dedicated to creating a smart assistant designed to oversee customer energy contracts, consistently searching the market for better offers.

In 2017, I joined the company to lead a transformation plan towards a scalable solution. Since then, the company has grown to manage 200,000 regular customers, with the capacity to optimize up to 30,000 plans each month.Role:
In my role as Hands-On CTO, I:
- Architected a future-proof microservices-based solution.
- Developed and championed a multi-year roadmap for tech development.
- Built and managed a high-performing engineering team.
- Contributed directly to maintaining and evolving the legacy system for optimal performance.
Challenges:
Balancing short-term needs with long-term vision was crucial for this rapidly scaling business. Resource constraints demanded strategic prioritization. Addressing urgent requirements like launching new collaborations quickly could compromise long-term architectural stability and scalability, potentially hindering future integration and codebase sustainability.
Technologies:
Proficient in Ruby (versions 2 and 3), Ruby on Rails (versions 4 to 7), AWS, Heroku, Redis, Tailwind CSS, JWT, and implementing microservices architectures.

Arik Meyer's Endorsement of Gilles Crofils
Second Bureau Logo

Second Bureau
Second Bureau was a French company that I founded with a partner experienced in the e-retail.
Rooted in agile methods, we assisted our clients in making or optimizing their internet presence - e-commerce, m-commerce and social marketing. Our multicultural teams located in Beijing and Paris supported French companies in their ventures into the Chinese market

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