Quantum computers will enable us to solve complex problems faster than is currently possible on classical computers, but they also pose a serious security threat, placing important data and assets at risk. We have just announced our new family of Quantum Safe IP solutions, designed to protect hardware and data with quantum-resistant algorithms. Wondering what these algorithms are and why they are needed? Read on to find out more!
Powerful quantum computers will be capable of breaking public key-based cryptography, also known as asymmetric cryptography. Public key-based cryptography is used to protect everything from online communications to financial transactions. Leveraging Shor’s algorithm, quantum computers will be capable of breaking RSA (Rivest-Shamir-Adleman) and ECC (Elliptic Curve Cryptography) encryption – even data considered secure today is vulnerable!
Governments, researchers, and tech leaders the world over have recognized the quantum threat. Many initiatives have been launched throughout the world to develop and deploy new cryptographic algorithms, known as Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC).
In July 2022, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) announced the first group of algorithms designed to withstand a quantum attack. CRYSTALS-Kyber was selected as a Key Encapsulation Mechanism (KEM) and CRYSTALS-Dilithium, FALCON, and SPHINCS+ were selected as digital signature algorithms.
Following suit, the National Security Agency (NSA) published an update to its Commercial National Security Algorithm Suite (CNSA) in September 2022. CNSA 2.0 specifies that CRYSTALS-Kyber and CRYSTALS-Dilithium should be used as quantum-resistant algorithms, with stateful hash-based signature schemes XMSS (eXtended Merkle Signature Scheme) or LMS (Leighton-Micali Signatures) for firmware protection.
For many years, Rambus has been a leading voice in the PQC movement, and the latest generation of the RT-600 Root of Trust series is at the forefront of a new category of hardware-based security solutions. This state-of-the-art programmable security solution protects hardware and data with the quantum-resistant algorithms specified by NIST and CNSA.
Check out our Protecting Data and Devices Now and in the Quantum Computing Era white paper to find out more about PQC algorithms and understand how you can get ready for the quantum computing era.