Runtime Attested HPC Cluster Reference Architecture for Confidential Computing

The rapid evolution of high-performance computing (HPC) clusters has been instrumental in driving transformative advancements in AI research and applications. These sophisticated systems enable the processing of complex datasets and support groundbreaking innovation. However, as their adoption grows, so do the critical security challenges they face, particularly when handling sensitive data in multi-tenant environments where diverse users and workloads coexist. Organizations are increasingly turning to Confidential Computing as a framework to protect AI workloads, emphasizing the need for robust HPC architectures that incorporate runtime attestation capabilities to ensure trust and integrity.

In this session, we present an advanced HPC cluster architecture designed to address these challenges, focusing on how runtime attestation of critical components – such as the kernel, Trusted Execution Environments (TEEs), and eBPF layers – can effectively fortify HPC clusters for AI applications operating across disjoint tenants. This architecture leverages cutting-edge security practices, enabling real-time verification and anomaly detection without compromising the performance essential to HPC systems.

Through use cases and examples, we will illustrate how runtime attestation integrates seamlessly into HPC environments, offering a scalable and efficient solution for securing AI workloads. Participants will leave this session equipped with a deeper understanding of how to leverage runtime attestation and Confidential Computing principles to build secure, reliable, and high-performing HPC clusters tailored for AI innovations.

Location: Room 201

Duration: 1 hour