1.8 Million for Research Into Quantum Security of Public Key Infrastructure

A consortium including TNO, CWI (Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica) and Delft University of Technology is receiving a 1.8 million subsidy from NWO (The Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research) to conduct research into the quantum security of public key infrastructures (PKIs).

A PKI is a system for issuing and managing digital certificates that form the basis of secure digital connections and the protection of digital information. The research proposal called HAPKIDO (Hybrid Approach for quantum-safe Public Key Infrastructure Development for Organisations) has been submitted in response to a call from the Dutch National Research Agenda (NWA). In addition to the aforementioned parties, the consortium also includes KPN, Microsoft, the digital government service Logius and software company Zynyo. The participating parties are also supported by various private and public organisations.

Many popular cryptographic algorithms and encryption schemes are becoming unsafe due to advances in quantum computing. Without preparation, sensitive data protected by encryption schemes will become accessible and the communication infrastructure will be disrupted. As a result, our transactions and information will become vulnerable to hostile entities, affecting countless organisations and millions of people.