Azure Confidential Computing is a service that protects data in use by performing computations in a secure, hardware-based environment known as a Trusted Execution Environment (TEE). This approach prevents unauthorized access or modification of applications and data while they are being processed, thereby enhancing security for organizations that handle sensitive information.

Azure employs a multi-layered security strategy that includes encrypting data at rest and in transit. With Azure Confidential Computing, data in use is also protected by processing it within a hardware-based TEE. This setup ensures that even Microsoft cannot access unencrypted customer data when properly configured, thereby reducing the risk of unauthorized access.

The Confidential Computing Consortium (CCC), co-founded by Microsoft in 2019, is an industry group that brings together hardware vendors, cloud providers, and software developers to promote the adoption of TEE technologies and standards. This collaboration aims to accelerate the development and implementation of secure computing environments, enhancing data protection across various platforms.