POST-QUANTUM NETWORKSFOR ENERGY-EXFFICIENT TRANSITIONS
Framework development and validation for a seamless migration to post-quantum cryptography
THE TEAM OR THE EXPERTS
Post-Quantum Networks for Energy eXfficient Transitions
Framework development and validation for a seamless migration to post-quantum cryptography
THE TEAM OR THE EXPERTS
The PQ-NEXT Steps for a Quantum-Safe Future
PQ-NEXT aims to develop a migration framework to analyse and model scenarios for a smooth transition to post-quantum cryptographic (PQC) standards with tailored migration plans.
The PQ-NEXT catalogue includes PQC and hybrid algorithms, maintenance tools, and a quantum programming language featuring high-performance simulation and hybrid quantum-classical optimisation, ensuring crypto-agility and security against quantum threats.
PQ-NEXT’s solutions will be validated through large-scale pilots in finance, critical infrastructure, telecommunications, and digital identities, through the selected use of digital twinning.
The Objectives
Design and build a Migration Toolbox to support the transition from classical to post-quantum cryptography, with a focus on large-scale pilots
Develop and implement a Quantum Cryptanalysis Framework to efficiently test and validate PQC algorithms using next-generation quantum computers, focusing on large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computing systems
Support the efficient migration and ongoing maintenance of cryptographic systems, ensuring secure and effective large-scale transitions to PQC
Demonstrate the project outcomes in a set of relevant large-scale pilot demonstrators
Maximise the impact among a European ecosystem to streamline the migration to quantum-resistant cryptography assets
The PQ-NEXT Steps for a Quantum-Safe Future
PQ-NEXT aims to develop a migration framework to analyse and model scenarios for a smooth transition to post-quantum cryptographic (PQC) standards with tailored migration plans.
The PQ-NEXT catalogue includes PQC and hybrid algorithms, maintenance tools, and a quantum programming language featuring high-performance simulation and hybrid quantum-classical optimisation, ensuring crypto-agility and security against quantum threats.
PQ-NEXT’s solutions will be validated through large-scale pilots in finance, critical infrastructure, telecommunications, and digital identities, through the selected use of digital twinning.
The Challenges
PQ-NEXT will target a wide range of challenges in the cybersecurity domain and across diverse application fields, including banks, telcos, municipalities, and industrial operators.
Challenge 1
Large-Scale Adoption of Post-Quantum Cryptography
As the field of post-quantum cryptography advances, the challenge lies in developing secure systems capable of withstanding the unprecedented computational power of quantum computers. Code-Based Cryptography, Isogeny-Based Cryptography, Hash-Based Cryptography, Lattice-Based Cryptography, Multivariate Cryptography. How well these diverse methods can be adapted and optimized for large-scale, practical use without sacrificing security?
Challenge 2
Cryptographic Maintenance of Large-Scale Infrastructures
Maintaining large-scale cryptographic systems is a complex and ongoing task. This challenge focuses on developing strategies and tools for the seamless and secure transition to post-quantum cryptography within existing infrastructures. It involves addressing issues such as key management, algorithm agility, and ensuring the long-term integrity of data and communications, making these systems secure, agile, and efficient.
Challenge 3
Threat Against Quantum Cryptanalysis Techniques
The emergence of quantum computers poses a significant threat to current cryptographic standards. This challenge explores the development of new cryptanalysis techniques that leverage quantum algorithms to break existing encryption methods, as well as the creation of countermeasures to protect against such attacks. It encompasses both theoretical advancements in quantum cryptanalysis and practical implications for cybersecurity.
Challenge 4
Migration from Classical to Hybrid to PQC
The transition from classical cryptography to post-quantum cryptography poses significant challenges, particularly for large-scale systems that are deeply entrenched in classical cryptographic methods. The migration pathway, moving from classical to hybrid cryptography, and eventually to fully quantum-resistant systems, requires careful planning, robust execution, and ongoing adaptation.
Challenge 5
Lack of Quantum-secure Policy Management
The adoption of quantum-secure technologies should follow a cybersecurity strategy. The impact on networks is significant, and the adoption will require knowledge of the different areas of the network and the services supported. The challenge remains in determining how network owners and operators can strategically deploy and activate diverse policy-based quantum-secure solutions to achieve specific outcomes across diverse network areas and services.
Challenge 6
Lack of studies about regulatory aspects that will impact large-scale migrations
Considering that the new technological solutions need to be standardised, and they would be considered as possible solutions for an easy use in different context and applications, it could be strategic to analyse legal issues (and possible regulatory solutions) of their adoption in different sectors/scenarios/applications.
The PQ-NEXT TeamEuropean Leaders in Quantum-Safe Innovation
