PQSoC
Hardware for Embedded Devices
A post-quantum System on Chip crypto co-processor toolkit. Full system emulation and standard development tools ease adoption. Available as both a modular IP or self-contained solution, it is FIPS 140-3 ready and side-channel attacks resistant.
Background
Post-quantum cryptography is based on different mathematical foundations than traditional “number theoretic” based RSA and Elliptic Curve algorithms. Quantum-resistant lattice-based, code-based, and multivariate-based algorithms do not benefit from the hardware acceleration features available in traditional smart cards and secure elements. As a post-quantum pioneer, PQShield has a deep understanding of the computational and mathematical requirements of these new algorithms which has led to significant architectural and design innovations in our hardware implementations.
What is PQSoC?
PQSoC is a configurable “System on Chip” design built from PQShield’s modular IP cores, offering features and functionality suitable for smart cards and other hardware-based secure elements.
PQSoC components have been designed to implement upcoming post-quantum cryptographic standards — while also offering efficient interoperability with legacy algorithms.
Available as both a modular IP or self-contained solution, it is FIPS 140-3 ready and side-channel attacks resistant.
Hardware Components
RISC-V Controller: standards compliant but designed for security. PQShield actively contributes to RISC-V ISA and TRNG.
Custom PQC co-processors: designed to support all new PQC standards. They drastically reduce latency and power consumption of post-quantum cryptography computations.
Secondary cryptography co-processor: that supports symmetric encryption algorithms, hash functions (hash-based cryptography), and secure random-number generation.
Peripherals: required for development and testing.
Note: The components are also offered separately; it is possible to integrate the cryptographic coprocessors with proprietary CPU cores (such as those from Intel or ARM).
Software Components
PQSLIB. A library of post-quantum cryptographic primitives that utilizes the special hardware features offered by PQSoC. These low-level primitives can be used to replace or complement legacy cryptography in applications. The implementations match current NIST post-quantum standardization finalists for digital signatures, key establishment and encryption, and are constantly updated as the process nears completion.
PQSE. A full system emulator that allows efficient application development and debugging. The emulator covers both the CPU core and the cryptographic peripherals, so applications can be tested at near-real time speeds without resorting to hardware circuit simulation.