As digital communication continues to gain ground, so too do the risks posed by cyber-attacks and data misuse. In addition, there is a growing threat from future quantum computers, which could potentially break current encryption methods. This is because quantum computers, by utilising the properties of quantum mechanics, can perform certain calculations exponentially faster than classical computers. These developments call into question the long-term security of current data protection methods. This affects everyday digital transactions just as much as sensitive communications and data sets.
A key countermeasure is secure encryption (cryptography), which can ensure a secure data infrastructure even in a so-called post-quantum world with powerful quantum computers. Advanced methods are intended to guarantee the integrity, authenticity and confidentiality of data in the long term and in a verifiable manner, even in the future. Methods are required, in particular, for encryption, for securing communication channels and for digital signatures.
Research and Application
The Quantum-Safe Cryptography (QSC) research group at the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology addresses this challenge at various levels – both in the field of research and in the implementation of practical systems. The experts act as coordinators and partners in numerous national and European projects and have established themselves as a centre of excellence for post-quantum secure cryptography (PQC) within Austria, as well as in a European and international context. Furthermore, this expertise is actively contributed to European and international standardisation bodies.
New quantum-secure cryptographic methods
On the fundamental research front, numerous papers have recently been published or presented at high-profile international conferences such as EUROCRYPT and AsiaCCS, describing innovative methods in post-quantum cryptography. New algorithms developed by AIT are also successfully represented in the ‘Post-Quantum Cryptography’ competition organised by the US ‘National Institute of Standards and Technology’ (NIST). The promising quantum-secure digital signature algorithm PICNIC reached the final stage of the selection process as an ‘alternate candidate’; and the FAEST algorithm advanced to the third round this year in the ‘Additional Digital Signature Schemes’ category.
Practical implementation of solutions
On the software side, the group makes reference implementations of the developed methods – including runtime- and security-optimised variants – available as open-source components. The migration of complex existing systems was demonstrated, for example, as part of the KIRAS project PREPARED, in which, in collaboration with the Federal Chancellery and other partners from industry and academia, ID Austria’s PDF signature solution was prototypically migrated to a post-quantum-secure version.
Combination with quantum encryption
Furthermore, the team works closely with AIT specialists in the field of quantum encryption, who are developing and implementing Europe-wide systems for the secure transmission of keys using principles of quantum physics. The aim of this work is to hybridise post-quantum secure (PQC) methods with quantum key distribution (QKD) – thereby combining the physical security guarantees of QKD with the end-to-end guarantees of PQC.
Growing pressure to find solutions
As awareness of post-quantum security grows amongst both users and providers of security-related solutions, and given that the European and international timetables for migration are ambitious, AIT researchers are accelerating their research and, in particular, their standardisation activities.
AIT: Research for the infrastructure of tomorrow
More than 1,600 staff members work every day at the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology on the key infrastructure issues of the future, particularly in the fields of energy, mobility, health and data. At AIT, the infrastructure of tomorrow is conceived and researched. Austria's largest research and technology organisation, AIT acts as a bridge between science and innovation, collaborating with industry and public institutions across the entire innovation chain – from the initial idea through to implementation. To further develop future-proof technologies, the AIT operates Austria’s most advanced research infrastructure, with specialised laboratories for energy, mobility, urban planning, digital security, food security and much more. AIT research makes a difference and creates solutions – for industry, society and, ultimately, for us all.