Key Takeaways
- Quantum computing is reshaping long-term security requirements
- Microcontroller design must adapt to quantum-safe standards
- Long device lifecycles make post-quantum readiness an immediate consideration
- Global regulations are accelerating PQC adoption
- Compliance is becoming essential for supply chain access
- PQShield delivers scalable solutions for quantum-resilient systems
How post-quantum cryptography for microcontrollers is influencing design
It’s fair to say that microcontrollers rarely make headlines. But the cryptographic decisions baked into their design today might determine which devices stay secure in a post-quantum world tomorrow. That makes post-quantum cryptography for microcontrollers an increasingly important consideration for manufacturers developing devices that may remain in operation for decades.
Long lifecycles and emerging risks
Many of today’s devices and components have long-term lifecycles.
Microcontrollers with a shelf life of 15-20 years are likely to be in use well beyond the advent of quantum computing – leaving systems, controls, networks and critical infrastructure at significant risk without post-quantum protective measures.
In addition, it’s already possible for attackers to steal encrypted data today with a view to decrypt it retroactively when the technology becomes available. With ‘harvest-now-decrypt-later’ attacks already taking place, the threat could not be more prescient.
The quantum deadline and regulatory momentum
The quantum deadline is a key driver for cryptographic modernization. It has also led to significant regulatory and compliance mandates, as governments, industry and national infrastructure aim to update and standardize the systems that keep us safe.
This reflects a broader shift towards proactive integration of post-quantum cryptography across global supply chains, reinforcing the growing importance of quantum computing and security in policy and implementation.
For manufacturers working with microcontrollers and embedded systems, this means cryptographic decisions being made during product development increasingly need to account for both future security requirements and changing procurement expectations.
US regulation and CNSA 2.0
CISA (the US Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Agency) mandates a clear transition to quantum-resistant algorithms in alliance with CNSA 2.0, by a finalized date of 2035.
Proactively achieving compliance with CNSA 2.0 is a strong driver, as it de-risks a manufacturer’s ability to sell into high-value government, defense and critical infrastructure markets in the future.
In other words, PQC compliance is a gateway to the supply chain not just of tomorrow but of today. PQShield actively supports organizations navigating these regulatory requirements with practical, scalable cryptographic solutions.
Europe’s quantum roadmap
In Europe, regulations such as the EU Quantum Act (expected for adoption in 2026) and the EU Co-ordinated roadmap, push for resilience in EU Member States for high-risk use cases by the early 2030s with a full quantum deadline of 2035.
Legacy cryptography such as RSA and ECC is rapidly being phased out in preference of NIST-standardized PQC algorithms, even if the transition passes through a hybrid phase of traditional and post-quantum working in tandem.
PQShield continues to align closely with these evolving standards to support secure implementation.
Global alignment on PQC transition
It’s a similar story in the rest of the world. The UK’s NCSC (National Centre for Cybersecurity) has published a detailed roadmap and next steps in preparing for post-quantum cryptography. They are leading to high-priority migration activity for critical systems until 2031.
Australia, Canada, South Korea and Japan all have official guidance for PQC transition until 2035, when many of the international timelines coalesce. PQShield tracks these PQC transition roadmaps and guidance as organisations prepare for migration.
This global alignment further highlights how quantum security is now central to long-term infrastructure strategy.
A growing opportunity for the supply chain
These regulatory pressures open up a remarkable opportunity. PQC is now a strategic necessity for the supply chain, mandated by government as well as industry.
When it comes to microcontrollers, there’s an astonishing potential market ahead.
The ARC Advisory Group estimates over 47 million automation products with OPC connectivity are installed globally, with numbers in the low hundreds of millions of units when it comes to PLCs and Distributed Control Systems.
What’s more, the broader ecosystem of industrial endpoints such as intelligent sensors, actuators and drives likely extends to the billions. The IACS (Industrial Automated Control Systems) market is expected to exceed $395bn by 2029 with a favourable tailwind for new technologies such as post-quantum cryptography.
What PQC means for microcontroller design
Implementing PQC on microcontrollers brings practical considerations around memory, performance and security. Embedded devices operate with strict RAM, code-size, CPU and power constraints, meaning post-quantum implementations need to be optimized for the target environment. Solutions such as PQMicroLib-Core are designed specifically to bring post-quantum cryptography to constrained embedded systems.
These considerations apply across embedded use cases including secure boot, firmware updates, device authentication, secure key exchange and TLS. Crypto-agility is also becoming increasingly important. Devices designed today may remain in operation for many years, so the ability to adapt cryptographic implementations as standards and security requirements evolve, can help support future migration.
Secure boot, firmware updates and device authentication
Secure boot and firmware verification commonly rely on cryptographic signatures to ensure that only trusted software runs on a device. As traditional public-key cryptography transitions towards PQC, these mechanisms will also need to support quantum-resistant protection.
The same considerations apply to connected devices using TLS or other protocols to authenticate themselves and establish secure communications, particularly where processing power and memory are limited.
Physical security also needs to be considered. Moving to post-quantum algorithms does not remove implementation-level risks, which is why appropriate side-channel countermeasures can remain an important part of protecting cryptographic secrets on embedded devices.
For engineers working with constrained systems, the challenge is therefore to implement PQC while balancing memory, performance and the security requirements of the device.
PQShield and practical implementation of PQC
PQShield is specifically focused on implementations of post-quantum cryptography. We’ve spent years building IP that’s flexible, powerful and secure, powered by the very latest NIST-standardized algorithms.
PQMicroLib-Core, our FIPS 140-3-ready ultra-small cryptographic library is a powerful tool for embedded devices, running the very latest post-quantum technology in as little as 13KB, ideal for systems with low footprint and low memory.
When it comes to microcontrollers and industrial systems, efficient implementation matters just as much as algorithm selection. PQShield has developed technology for applications including post-quantum secure boot, secure communications, and side-channel-protected cryptography.
Whether you want to avoid rip and replace, or build greenfield devices with the latest protections, we’ve built solutions like PQMicroLib-Core that will help modernize your cryptography.
Looking ahead: security, regulation and readiness
As the threat landscape evolves, security pressure will continue to be followed by standards, procurement requirements and migration programmes. For manufacturers of long-lived embedded products, waiting until a cryptographically relevant quantum computer arrives would leave too little time to redesign devices and supply chains.
Preparing now allows organizations to identify cryptographic dependencies, assess hardware constraints, and build greater crypto-agility into future products.
That’s why, at PQShield, we’re committed to moving in alignment with the regulatory situation, helping to keep the world safe from the threats of tomorrow, today.
Ready to build quantum-safe microcontrollers?
Microcontrollers designed today may remain in the field for decades, which makes preparing for post-quantum cryptography for microcontrollers an important part of long-term product security.
Contact PQShield to explore how PQMicroLib-Core can help you introduce quantum-resistant cryptography into new and existing embedded systems.
Frequently asked questions
What is post-quantum cryptography for microcontrollers?
It refers to implementing quantum-resistant cryptographic algorithms on microcontrollers and other constrained embedded devices. These algorithms can protect functions including authentication, key establishment, secure boot, firmware signing and secure communications.
Why do microcontrollers need quantum-safe protection?
Microcontrollers can remain in operation for many years. Devices being developed today may still be deployed when organizations are required to transition away from quantum-vulnerable public-key cryptography.
Can post-quantum cryptography run on constrained microcontrollers?
Yes, but implementation needs to account for RAM, flash storage, processing power, energy consumption and other device constraints. Libraries such as PQMicroLib-Core are designed specifically for embedded systems where those resources may be limited.
What is crypto-agility and why does it matter?
Crypto-agility is the ability to update or replace cryptographic algorithms without redesigning an entire system. For long-lived microcontrollers, it can make future transitions to new cryptographic standards significantly easier.
How does PQShield help manufacturers prepare for PQC?
PQShield provides standards-aligned cryptographic technology for software and hardware environments, including PQMicroLib-Core for embedded and constrained systems.