Project

Introducing PIQASO: Securing the Future of Digital Communication
‍We are excited to introduce the PIQASO Digital Europe Action, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at implementing a robust framework for "Post-Quantum Cryptography As-a-Service for Common Transmission Systems (CTS) and Infrastructures." This project addresses the urgent need for quantum-safe cryptographic solutions in today's increasingly connected and data-driven world, providing an essential foundation for secure communication and data protection against quantum-enabled cyber threats.Officially launched on January 1st, with a successful kick-off meeting in Athens on January 22-23, PIQASO is funded by the European Commission and will run from January 2025 to December 2027.

‍PiQASO: Quantum-Safe and Flexible Cryptography as-a-Service
PiQASO aims to revolutionize cybersecurity by providing a comprehensive suite of advanced cryptographic algorithms and protocols as-a-service. Our solution offers functionalities equivalent to a PKI (Public Key Infrastructure), ensuring robust protection against future threats stemming from future algorithmic and quantum computing advances.
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‍Key Benefits of PiQASO:
‍Post-Quantum Security: Operational implementations of algorithms resistant to quantum attacks, integrable into existing systems without additional hardware.
‍Crypto Agility: Ability to easily adapt and reconfigure cryptographic algorithms based on needs and resources.
‍Optimization and Acceleration: Development of programmable solutions to enhance the efficiency of various cryptographic families cost-effectively.
‍Wide Applicability: Application-layer encryption/decryption services usable by any legacy system. Coordinated Transitions: Support for cryptographic transitions managed by policy and compliance. Certifiable Security: Offering a set of post-quantum algorithms (PQC Ensemble) with security-certifiable design modalities.
‍Large-Scale Demonstrations: Practical validation with 14 end-users from diverse industrial sectors.PiQASO makes the cryptography of the future accessible and manageable for everyone.

Project Vision

Our Vision: A Seamless and Quantum-Secure Digital Future
‍PIQASO envisions a future where digital communication and data are inherently secure against both current and future threats, including those posed by quantum computing. We aim to bridge the gap between the theoretical potential of Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) and its practical application in the real world. Our aspiration is to provide fully optimized and operational implementations of a comprehensive suite of cryptographic algorithms and protocols as-a-service, enabling the construction of both short-term and long-term transition plans fully aligned with the latest NIST vision. This includes key encapsulation, digital signatures, authenticated key exchange, authorization, identity management, long-term data security, and multi-party secure computation.

Goal

Our goal is to deliver a fully functional equivalent of a Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) that is not only robust against algorithmic and quantum computing advances but also practical for seamless integration into Common Transmission Systems (CTS) and infrastructures. This is achievable without requiring any additional specialist hardware on the client side, enabling quantum-safe application-layer encryption and decryption services accessible to any legacy system.

‍Our Goals:
- Develop programmable optimizations and accelerators to cost-effectively enhance the performance of diverse cryptographic families.
- Design for crypto agility, allowing for the flexible reconfiguration of applications and systems with different post-quantum (PQ) crypto algorithms or implementations based on requirements and resource availability.
- Support crypto agility through operational implementations of NIST final candidates, ensuring quantum-safe application-layer encryption and decryption services for all legacy systems.
- Enable users and systems to make coordinated cryptographic transitions in a policy- and compliance-governed manner.Offer PiQASO’s PQC Ensemble through design modalities with certifiable security.
- Validate our solutions through an extensive demonstration plan involving 14 end-users across diverse industrial sectors, including automotive, automation, finance, energy, healthcare, aerospace, online media, unmanned aerial vehicles, and transportation.

Our Key Objectives: Building a Quantum-Safe Future
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‍The PIQASO project is driven by a set of crucial objectives designed to pave the way for a secure transition to the post-quantum era:
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Bridging the Gap to Real-World PQC Applications

Addressing gaps between the theoretical possibilities provided by quantum-resistant cryptography and its real- world applications.

Developing Quantum-Resistant Migration Strategies

Security solutions and methods that incorporate cryptographic primitives and protocols resistant to quantum attacks used to migrate from current cryptography towards future-proof cryptography.

Ensuring Continuous Compliance and Crypto Agility

Ensure PQ Continuous Compliance and Crypto Agility for smooth transition of adopters to the quantum age through tool-assisted Conformity Assessment and Crypto Inventorying.

Preparing for Secure Information Exchange in the Quantum Era

Preparing for secure information exchange & processing in-advent of largescale PQ computers.

Raising Awareness for PQC Migration

Reinforced awareness towards the need for migration to PQC.

Expected Outcomes

PIQASO is strategically designed to achieve critical Expected Outcomes that will pave the way for a secure and resilient digital future in the face of quantum computing advancements. Our work focuses on validating quantum-safe technologies for broad industrial use, ensuring long-term protection of vital assets and operational continuity, and facilitating the adoption of post-quantum cryptography in sectors where it hasn't yet been implemented. Explore below how PIQASO is making these goals a reality.

eO1: PQC system validation and PQC technology ready for wide-spread deployment in given industrial sectors.

The following PiQASO Outcomes directly contribute to achieving the goals of Expected Outcome 1 (EO1), creating impact across various dimensions.

‍PiQASO's Impact:
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- Scientific Advancement: Bridging the gap between the theoretical possibilities of quantum-resistant cryptography and its practical applications.
- Societal Benefit: Enhancing cybersecurity resilience across various sectors, safeguarding sensitive data and fostering trust in digital infrastructures.
- Economic and Technological Growth: Facilitating widespread deployment in key industries like automotive, finance, automation, energy, healthcare, aerospace, online media, UAVs, and transportation, thereby driving innovation and economic growth.

PiQASO rigorously validates and ensures the readiness of its post-quantum cryptographic (PQC) technology for broad use across diverse industries. Through rigorous testing and close collaboration with partners, we tailor and optimize our PQC solutions to meet specific industrial needs, enhancing cybersecurity resilience against quantum threats.

E02: Long-term protection of critical assets, long-term information security and operational continuity in the advent of quantum computers.

The following PiQASO Outcomes directly contribute to achieving the goals of Expected Outcome 2 (EO2), ensuring enduring security for critical assets.

PiQASO's Impact:
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-Scientific Advancement: Enhance the scientific knowledge base regarding the effectiveness and feasibility of PQC solutions.
- Societal Benefit: Enhanced trust and confidence in digital systems and services, benefiting individuals, businesses, and organizations.
- Economic and Technological Growth: Provide practical solutions for securing information exchange and processing, thus help mitigate potential economic losses associated with cyber threats and data breaches.

PiQASO develops and implements robust PQC solutions resistant to quantum attacks, ensuring long-term protection and operational continuity. Through rigorous security assurance and seamless integration with existing systems, we empower organizations to transition smoothly to a quantum-safe future.

EO3: Migration checklists and plans for PQC in sectors where this has not yet taken place.

The following PiQASO Outcomes directly contribute to achieving the goals of Expected Outcome 3 (EO3), facilitating the adoption of PQC in new sectors.

PiQASO's Impact:

-Scientific Advancement: Provide comprehensive assessments and inventories of current cryptographic practices.
- Societal Benefit: Empower organizations to enhance their cybersecurity resilience, thereby safeguarding sensitive data and maintaining public trust.
- Economic and Technological Growth: Support operational continuity and reduce potential disruptions.

PiQASO assists industrial sectors in their PQC transition by offering thorough assessments and expert guidance in creating tailored migration checklists and plans. This ensures a seamless and secure adaptation to the quantum era, empowering previously unaddressed sectors to proactively safeguard their critical assets.

Project

Objectives

Expected outcomes

Expected Outcomes