Recently PQShield, the provider of post-quantum cryptography (PQC) solutions, announced the launch of a newly updated product suite, beginning with the introduction of PQPlatform-TrustSys – a new quantum-safe Root of Trust solution that will allow ASIC and FPGA hardware to achieve compliance with new PQC standards set out in regulations such as the NSA’s CNSA 2.0.
PQPlatform-TrustSys falls under the ultra secure pillar of PQShield’s UltraPQ-Suite, which offers a range of ultra fast, ultra small and ultra secure highly optimised implementations of PQC for critical use cases as the global supply chain delivers the transition to new cryptographic standards.
PQShield’s wide-ranging product suite allows organisations to choose implementations of PQC that best match their priorities – something that is increasingly important for manufacturers that require either fast-performance, high-security, or low-footprint solutions.
Its three pillars – ultra fast, ultra secure and ultra small – means PQShield can deliver high quality PQC products to address customers’ optimisation issues head-on.
- Ultra fast delivers high-performance PQC at the core of the network to accelerate new and existing applications in FPGA or ASIC. PQShield’s core product in this category, PQPerform-Lattice, optimises key encapsulations per second to maintain strong latency performance and optimise power consumption. This is particularly critical in the networking sector, for example with applications like firewalls, routers and HSMs
- PQShield’s ultra secure implementations are optimised for use in products that are the target of highly sophisticated attackers, for instance in critical infrastructure devices with a long lifecycle that require the highest levels of integrity. Side channel attack (SCA) and fault injection attack (FIA) resistance are also key to this category. This is particularly important for device attestation, where confirming that your device has not been tampered with, compromised, or running unauthorised firmware/software enabling remote trust establishment is critical. PQPlatform-TrustSys is PQShield’s main product in this pillar but there are also a range of modular IPs that can future proof existing security implementations
- Ultra small targets implementations in memory-constrained devices, embedded systems, microcontrollers and devices that are already in the field, like energy smart meters and industrial controls. PQShield’s ultra small product, PQCryptoLib-Embedded, is the smallest implementation of PQC on the market. This is particularly useful for OEMs and device manufacturers, where efficient implementations of PQC are needed to secure end-to-end-encrypted (E2EE) comms channels, as well as ensuring data confidentiality and integrity
PQShield’s in-depth knowledge of global PQC standards (as co-authors of all PQC standards to date), cryptographic algorithms, patented technologies, protocols and security techniques sets it apart from both competitors and open-source alternatives. Its solutions are rigorously tested to meet Cloud, Edge, or Government grade standards, aligning across certifications like NIST, Common Criteria, SESIP, and PSA.
Product developers will need to ensure they meet both existing and new regulatory requirements with clear timelines set out by NIST, both for the adoption of PQC and more crucial for Secure Boot, the complete phase-out of RSA by 2035. Looking across current guidance from across the globe and industry it is abundantly clear that there is a five to 10 year window to migrate.
The latest product in PQShield’s range, PQPlatform-TrustSys, is designed to respond to these challenges, helping manufacturers with achieving compliance with cybersecurity regulations with minimal integration time and effort. Built as a PQC-first design, this allows for strong, efficient, and quantum-resistant security implementations, free from the limitations of older architectures.
PQPlatform-TrustSys offers comprehensive key management by tracking the key’s origin and permission including key revocation, which is an essential and often overlooked part of securing any large-scale cryptographic deployment. It allows the Root of Trust to enforce restrictions on critical operations and maintain security even if the host system is compromised. Additionally, both key origin and permission attributes are extended to cryptographic accelerators that are connected to a Private Peripheral Bus.
When a device is physically exposed to potential attackers – which includes most implementations of ASIC and FPGA hardware in consumer devices, automotive use, and communications networks – AKA ‘side-channel attacks’ that exploit timing, power, and fault vulnerabilities need to be considered as well.
“With new standards announced, last year was pivotal in the progress towards quantum security. 2025 is where we run into the real challenge – implementation. Given the wide range of implementation use cases, we need to offer manufacturers enough flexibility and crypto-agility to roll out PQC in a way that meets their priorities,” said Ali El Kaafarani, Founder and CEO of PQShield. “I am proud to be launching PQShield’s UltraPQ-Suite to help the supply chain on this journey. Our ultra secure, ultra fast and ultra small products address the major challenges manufacturers face when choosing an implementation of PQC, enabling them to more easily protect the next generation of devices and digital infrastructure that reaches the market.”
“I am excited to introduce PQPlatform-TrustSys to support ASIC and FPGA manufacturers in bringing quantum-safe products to market. This hardware holds a critical role in the global technology supply chain, and by assisting its adoption of post-quantum cryptography, we can help accelerate the overall global transition to quantum security,” added Dr Axel Poschmann, VP of Product at PQShield.
The launch follows news that PQShield achieved FIPS 140-3 certification through the Cryptographic Module Verification Program (CMVP), which is designed to evaluate cryptographic modules and provide agencies and organisations with a metric for security products, as well as building its own silicon test chip to prove this can all be delivered ‘first time right’.
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