IBM inventors have developed a technique for protecting sensitive data prior to transmitting it to the cloud. IBM's patented security invention addresses cloud computing apprehensions by helping 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.

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.