Sectigo launches post-quantum cryptography testing labs

Sectigo has unveiled its latest initiative, Sectigo PQC Labs, marking a pivotal advancement in the realm of post-quantum cryptography.

This platform, developed in collaboration with Crypto4A, is set to be the first sandbox designed to adhere to the complete post-quantum cryptographic standards set by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). It aims to address the pressing need for a practical, secure means of transitioning to quantum-resistant cryptography, especially against future quantum computer threats.

According to a report by Gartner, security and risk management leaders are urged to prepare for a shift to post-quantum cryptography due to its significant implications for systems reliant on cryptography. Sectigo PQC Labs offers organisations the opportunity to examine, test, and establish post-quantum cryptographic certificates within their existing technology infrastructure.

This prepares them for two key threat scenarios: "Harvest Now, Decrypt Later," where encrypted data captured today may be decrypted in the future, and issues surrounding long-lived private digital signatures, which are vital for systems expected to remain secure into the quantum computing era.

Kevin Weiss, Chief Executive Officer at Sectigo, highlighted the crucial role Sectigo PQC Labs plays in addressing quantum threats. He stated, "Quantum threats represent a fundamental and existential risk to any organisation wishing to safeguard valuable digital assets. Sectigo PQC Labs is pioneering the industry as the first certificate testing environment backed by an industry-leading quantum-safe HSM."

Weiss continued, "This cutting-edge capability empowers organisations to test their systems in a secure environment, equipping them with the confidence and foresight needed to seamlessly transition to a post-quantum era. By leveraging Sectigo PQC Labs, organisations can stay decisively ahead of the curve, fortifying their public key infrastructure (PKI) and enhancing their overall security architecture against the challenges of tomorrow."

The collaboration with Crypto4A, known for its quantum-safe Hardware Security Modules (HSMs), is critical in enhancing the cryptographic chain's robustness. These HSMs are certified to manage, generate, and store cryptographic keys that are secure and unpredictable, thereby providing a secure foundation for quantum-resistant key management.

Bruno Couillard, Chief Executive Officer at Crypto4A, underlined this collaboration's importance: "NIST recently stated its 2030 deadline to deprecate today's cryptographic algorithms and banning them entirely by 2035, effectively making today's encryption protocols nearly obsolete. As we integrate Crypto4A's HSM with Sectigo's PKI expertise, we are demonstrating our commitment now to deliver organisations a proactive and practical solution to future quantum threats."

Sectigo PQC Labs is presented as the only sandbox that meets NIST's comprehensive post-quantum standards. It allows organisations to safely test PQC assets, learn about integrating post-quantum cryptographic principles into their existing PKI, and ultimately strengthen their overall security strategy by adopting a quantum-readiness approach.

In response to the impending quantum threats, Sectigo promotes a holistic preparedness strategy, with Sectigo PQC Labs serving as a robust foundation. This initiative is part of Sectigo's QUANT (Quantum-resistant, Uncover, Assess, Navigate, Track) readiness strategy, aiming to prepare organisations for the expected challenges of a quantum future.