Final answer:
Homomorphic Encryption is the best cryptographic technique for storing customer data in the cloud while still allowing access and manipulation while encrypted. So, option C is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
The financial institution is looking for a cryptographic technique that allows them to store their customer data in the cloud and perform data manipulations while the data remains encrypted. This would prevent the cloud service provider from deciphering the sensitive data. Out of the options provided, Homomorphic encryption (Option C) is the best fit for this requirement.
Homomorphic encryption is a form of encryption that permits computation on ciphertexts, generating an encrypted result that, when decrypted, matches the result of operations performed on the plaintext. This means that the data can stay encrypted even during processing, perfectly aligning with the financial institution's need for maintaining data confidentiality while utilizing cloud computational resources.
It is the best cryptographic technique that would meet the requirement of storing customer data in the cloud while still allowing access and manipulation while encrypted. It is a type of encryption that allows computations to be performed on encrypted data without decrypting it. This means that the data can remain encrypted while still being operated on.