With the advent of quantum computing on the horizon, traditional cryptographic methods are facing an existential threat. In response to this challenge, UAE’s Technology Innovation Institute’s (TII), Cryptography Research Center (CRC) has taken a monumental step forward by unveiling the CryptographicEstimators, the world’s first open-source software library entirely dedicated to assessing the security of Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) schemes.
The challenge of Post-Quantum Cryptography
Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) is the new frontier in securing digital communication. As quantum computers become more powerful, traditional cryptographic systems that have been the bedrock of online security for decades are at risk of being compromised. PQC aims to develop cryptographic methods that are resistant to quantum attacks, ensuring the continued safety of sensitive data and communications in a post-quantum world.
Assessing the security of PQC schemes is a complex and critical task. However, until now, cryptographic estimations have often been performed in an ad-hoc manner. This approach has led to the creation of non-standardised estimation scripts that produce inconsistent results when applied to the same cryptographic problems. Such inconsistencies present a significant obstacle to achieving a consensus on the security of cryptographic systems.
CryptographicEstimators: A game-changer in PQC security assessment
CryptographicEstimators is an open-source software library that provides a standardised platform for estimating the security of PQC schemes, including key exchange methods, public key encryption, and digital signatures.
Key features of CryptographicEstimators
- Consolidating Existing Estimators: CryptographicEstimators consolidates existing estimation methods, ensuring that cryptographic assessments are carried out consistently and reliably.
- Foundation for New Estimators: It serves as the foundation for the development of new estimation methods, fostering innovation in the field of PQC security assessment.
- Supporting Scheme Design and Evaluation: This tool assists public key scheme designers in selecting secure parameters and empowers cryptanalysts to rigorously evaluate their findings against established benchmarks.
- Comprehensive Coverage: Unlike similar projects that focus on single classes of hardness assumptions, CryptographicEstimators encompasses a wide spectrum of post-quantum secure foundations, making it a versatile and comprehensive resource.
The introduction of CryptographicEstimators is a pivotal moment in the world of cryptography. As the American National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) continues its efforts to standardise PQC, CryptographicEstimators emerges as a unique, state-of-the-art cryptographic tool. It positions TII as a global leader in the PQC domain and solidifies the UAE’s role as a significant stakeholder in advancing the PQC ecosystem.
CryptographicEstimators not only complements TII’s existing initiatives in cryptography but also contributes to the global mission of safeguarding digital communication in the face of quantum threats. It reinforces the importance of collaborative research and innovation in securing our digital future.
