#QuickLogic #Post-Quantum #PQSecure

QuickLogic and PQSecure Transform SoC Security with Post-Quantum Cryptography

In a significant advancement for system-on-chip (SoC) technology, QuickLogic® Corporation has teamed up with PQSecure™ Technologies to incorporate post-quantum cryptography capabilities into its eFPGA Hard IP offerings. As the digital landscape faces increasing threats, this collaboration aims to ensure that SoCs can adapt and evolve in the face of emerging security challenges, particularly those posed by quantum computing.

A New Era in Cryptography

As we approach a world where quantum computing becomes a reality, the urgency for robust security mechanisms cannot be overstated. Traditional cryptographic methods are at risk of being rendered obsolete by the rapid advancement of quantum technologies. Recognizing this shift, QuickLogic and PQSecure have focused on developing a solution that seamlessly integrates PQSecure’s CRYSTAL-1000C post-quantum cryptographic intellectual property (IP) core into QuickLogic’s eFPGA fabric.

During a recent technical collaboration, the CRYSTAL-1000C was effectively implemented using QuickLogic’s eFPGA technology, thus allowing for a flexible, upgradable security solution without the need for expensive silicon re-spins. This development means that many existing communication devices can now be fortified against future or existing threats while ensuring efficient resource utilization.

Efficient Configuration and Customization

The implementation targeted NIST's finalized standards, specifically FIPS 203 (ML-KEM) and FIPS 204 (ML-DSA), utilizing QuickLogic’s eFPGA Hard IP crafted for the Intel 18A process node. The results showed that the PQSecure core was not only able to fit within the existing frameworks of eFPGA IP cores, which are already utilized by various customers but also provided ample performance to cater to diverse applications.

This partnership allows SoC designers to leverage QuickLogic's Aurora programming tools. These tools enable a tailored approach, generating project-specific reports that assist in determining the most effective eFPGA configurations suited to their unique cryptographic requirements. This adaptability ensures designers can optimize for power and area efficiency, or repurpose remaining resources for higher performance and side-channel vulnerabilities countermeasures such as masking and hiding.

The Imperative for Migration to Post-Quantum Solutions

As the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) outlines a transition timeline, classical algorithms are set to be deprecated by 2030, with an essential completion mandate by 2035. The industry's growing awareness of threats such as