Applied post-quantum cryptography for embedded systems

Syed Ismail Abdul Lathif, Priya Saxena, Priyanshi Singh

Aleksey A. Naumov, Renat E. Khagush, Anna A. Ilmushkina

In the context of the development of quantum computing, traditional cryptographic algorithms used to protect data in industrial controllers are losing their stability. This article is devoted to the analysis of theoretical and applied aspects of the implementation of post-quantum cryptography in industrial automation systems. The existing threats, the architecture of industrial controllers, limitations on computing resources and requirements for cryptographic primitives are considered. An overview of the main classes of post-quantum algorithms, such as lattice, code and hash-based schemes, is provided, and a formalized analysis of security and threat models is carried out. Recommendations for the use of post-quantum solutions are presented, taking into account the features of embedded systems and industrial security standards.

Juliane Krämer

Amer Mosally, Ibrahim Kabir, Mohammad Ali A. Hammoudeh

The quantum computer will likely become one of the world's most important technologies because of its potential to shorten the years of computing time needed to break cryptography to mere hours. The race among countries to have the edge in quantum technology is improving intelligence, information, and scientific research in this field. This report focuses on the imperative transition to post-quantum cryptography (PQC) to safeguard systems, particularly against quantum computing threats. It explores the major types of PQC algorithms, including lattice-based, codebased, and hash-based systems. It emphasizes the National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) efforts and the process for algorithm standardization. The report will also discuss implementation challenges, such as balancing security with resource constraints in embedded devices. Future trends point towards the necessity of developing specialized hardware and software optimizations to ensure the efficient implementation of quantum-safe protocols.

Bikram Paul, Gaurav Trivedi

Mauro Conti, Francesco Marchiori, Sebastiano Matarazzo +1 more

The rapid development of quantum computers threatens traditional cryptographic schemes, prompting the need for Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC). Although the NIST standardization process has accelerated the development of such algorithms, their application in resource-constrained environments such as embedded systems remains a challenge. Automotive systems relying on the Controller Area Network (CAN) bus for communication are particularly vulnerable due to their limited computational capabilities, high traffic, and need for real-time response. These constraints raise concerns about the feasibility of implementing PQC in automotive environments, where legacy hardware and bit rate limitations must also be considered.In this paper, we introduce PQ-CAN, a modular framework for simulating the performance and overhead of PQC algorithms in embedded systems. We consider the automotive domain as our case study, testing a variety of PQC schemes under different scenarios. Our simulation enables the adjustment of embedded system computational capabilities and CAN bus bit rate constraints. We also provide insights into the trade-offs involved by analyzing each algorithm’s security level and overhead for key encapsulation and digital signature. By evaluating the performance of these algorithms, we provide insights into their feasibility and identify the strengths and limitations of PQC in securing automotive communications in the post-quantum era.