A domestic research team has created the world's first dedicated cryptographic analysis platform. This is expected to accelerate efforts to develop encryption algorithms with even higher security in preparation for the quantum computer era.

The Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) announced that it has unveiled 'Q Crypton', a platform that can verify secure cryptographic systems even in a quantum computer environment, at the PQCrypto 2021 international academic conference, which will be held at the Daejeon Convention Center (DCC) and online for three days starting on the 20th.

'Q Crypton', developed by ETRI, is a platform that verifies the quantum security of various cryptographic systems, including existing cryptographic systems such as RSA, a public key cryptographic system, and next-generation quantum-resistant cryptography.

By releasing the platform, the foundation has been laid for verifying cryptographic algorithms that can prevent hacking using quantum computers.

In the future, the research team plans to gradually open the platform to applicants through a web browser.

This platform can analyze and simulate the quantitative security of cryptography with greater accuracy by taking into account various environmental factors, such as the qubit size, quantum computer chip structure, and error rate, which vary by quantum computer company.

It also features visual programming technology and a cryptographic core operation library, enabling the rapid and efficient development of quantum algorithms required for cryptographic analysis.

We've diagrammed the quantum circuit so that you can intuitively see the countless complex formulas at a glance, and we've shortened the process so you don't have to input them one by one.

In addition, the platform provides functions such as compilation (language processing) for quantum algorithms, verification using virtual machines, and quantum resource analysis.

ETRI researchers plan to continuously build an optimal environment for precise cryptographic quantum security analysis through future functional improvements and library additions.

This technology is particularly ETRIt is significant that researchers from the Future Cryptography Laboratory and the Quantum Computing Laboratory have jointly developed the world's first cryptographic security verification platform that takes into account the actual quantum computing environment.

ETRI Information Security Research Center Director Kim Ik-gyun said, “Concerns about quantum computers neutralizing modern public key cryptography systems are becoming a reality. “We will strive to build a next-generation security infrastructure at an early stage based on the world’s best technology in the field of cryptographic quantum security,” he said.

The disclosure of this technology is expected to contribute to next-generation cryptography research by companies, research institutes, and public institutions.

Additionally, it is expected to contribute to the development of quantum computers as it will enable performance verification of programs to be installed on quantum computers.

This research is being conducted in collaboration with Korea University, Pusan National University, Hanyang University, and Hansung University as part of the Ministry of Science and ICT's 'Project to Develop Cryptographic Security Verification Technology Based on Computational Complexity in Preparation for the Future Computing Environment.'

Meanwhile, the international academic conference 'PQCrypto 2021', where this achievement was announced, is the top international academic conference in the field of quantum-resistant cryptography, co-hosted by ETRI and KAIST.

This event, now in its 12th year, will be held online and will be attended by approximately 340 domestic and international quantum security experts from 38 countries, who will discuss the latest research trends.