The continuous advances in Quantum Computing makes that the development of a Cryptographically Relevant Quantum Computer (CRQC) is approaching. A CRQC is a term used to refer a quantum computer with enough computational resources in terms of qubits to break the current public-key schemes. For instance, widely used algorithms as RSA (Rivest, Shamir, Adleman) and ECC (Elliptic Cryptography Curves) will be compromised as the Shor’s algorithm mathematically demonstrates. While not yet reality, CRQCs are projected to become a real threat within 10-20 years, the community is proposing different approaches to provide a smooth transition to incorporate quantum-resistant mechanisms.
The following strategies are being explored by the scientific community to find solutions to face this challenging problem:
- The migration to PKI-based schemes that rely on PQC (Post-Quantum Cryptography) instead of classical
cryptography (RSA, ECC).
- The incorporation of security primitives that rely on quantum-based principles as QKD (Quantum Key
Distribution) and QRNGs (Quantum Random Number Generators).
- The incorporation of strong authentication mechanisms to give birth novel strong architectures PUFs (Physical Unclonable Functions) based on optical principles.
- The hybridization of schemes that combines one or more of the above-mentioned strategies is also an emerging trend to be evaluated.
All of them are nascent disciplines and further research are required to increase the readiness level of the associated technologies. Furthermore, the adaptation of all the above technologies to different scenarios with different requirements and in a continuous evolving regulatory framework with new standards.
The RESEQUA project main objectives are:
- Strategic Objective 1 (SO1): Implementation of PQC at hardware level in electronic embedded systems and
analysis of security assessments against physical attacks.
- Strategic Objective 2 (SO2): Design of novel cryptographic primitives for strong authentication mechanisms
using photonic integrated circuits.
- Strategic Objective 3 (SO3): Integration of keys derived from QKD systems into PQC schemes.
- Strategic Objective 4 (SO4): Exploration of pathways to transfer the outcomes to the industrial sector.
