Thales Helping Enterprises Prepare for a Post-Quantum World

Quantum computers have initiated a paradigm shift in the ways researchers think about data security, with research predicting that quantum computers could be able to crack current cryptosystems in as little as five years.

With 61% of organisations yet to define a strategy for a post-quantum world, and with quantum algorithms capable of solving the computational problems that underpin encryption schemes already in development, organisations must take measures to protect their data now.

To help enterprises on this journey, technology and security provider Thales has announced the launch of its PQC Starter Kit in collaboration with Quantinuum, aimed at helping enterprises prepare for Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC). The kit, which the companies say is the first of its kind, provides a trusted environment for businesses to test quantum-hardened PQC-ready encryption keys and understand the implications that quantum computing will have on the security of their infrastructure.

According to a report by DigiCert, almost three-quarters (74%) of organisations today are concerned that bad actors can conduct ‘harvest now, decrypt later’ (HNDL) attacks, in which they collect and store encrypted data with the goal of decrypting it in the future.

Post Quantum Cryptography helps mitigate this threat. As a result, organisations around the world must test their ecosystem applications, data, and devices currently relying upon traditional cryptography to ensure minimal disruption when quantum-safe protocols become mandatory.

“Research suggests that within three years, there is a one in seven chance that quantum computers will break the most used computer encryption systems — this number goes as high as 50% by 2031,” Andersen Cheng, CEO of Post-Quantum told Technology Magazine recently. “Therefore, failing to secure your digital infrastructure against the threat of quantum computing leaves your data and systems vulnerable to attack.” 

Post-Quantum resilience should be on the radar of every organisation today

Thales and Quantinuum’s PQC Starter Kit will allow organisations to test within a trusted lab environment. Using current NIST proposed algorithms, customers can test various security use cases and observe the impact of implementing PQC technology in simulated test-lab scenarios, all without impacting operational processes in real-world environments. 

As part of the kit, organisations will also be able to identify potential weaknesses in their encryption deployment and apply changes to their IT infrastructure to protect themselves.

“We understand the enormous challenges and complexities behind this upcoming disruption in cryptography and want to support customers as they transition to these new algorithms,” comments Todd Moore, Global Head of Data Security Products at Thales. “For organisations unsure of navigating this transition, we highly recommend testing current applications, data, and devices that use cryptographic protection as soon as possible to ensure a smooth shift to PQC. Although quantum computing may seem like a future-looking risk, with hackers using HNDL tactics, post-quantum resilience should be on every organisation’s radar today.”

“Hardening encryption keys is critical for the post-quantum era, and Quantum Origin is a unique technology that provides verifiable quantum randomness to maximise encryption key strength,” added Duncan Jones, Head of Cybersecurity at Quantinuum. “The combination of Quantum Origin and the Thales HSM is a strong solution for IT teams to help them with their PQC transition. We look forward to working with Thales to help smooth the shift to PQC.”

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