Utimaco launches Quantum Protect for post-quantum security

Utimaco has introduced Quantum Protect, a Post Quantum Cryptography (PQC) application package, and an accessible PQC simulator for testing purposes.

Quantum computers pose a significant impending threat to current cryptographic systems, necessitating a proactive migration to PQC strategies. This development aligns with the timeline projected by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), which advocates for the adoption of quantum-secure algorithms by 2030 to replace existing methods like RSA or ECC.

Quantum Protect supports several PQC algorithms, namely ML-KEM, ML-DSA, and mature stateful hash-based signature schemes such as LMS and XMSS, including their multi-tree variants HSS and XMSS-MT. The package is integrated with Utimaco's u.trust General Purpose Hardware Security Module (HSM) Se-Series, implementing all algorithms mandated by the Commercial National Security Algorithm Suite (CNSA) 2.0 for specific use cases by 2025.

The newly launched product does not require hardware replacement, as it can be activated in the field. This feature is particularly beneficial for users planning a move to Utimaco's latest HSM, designed with an advanced FBGA chip to ensure hardware acceleration compatibility for quantum-resistant applications.

Importantly, Utimaco has also released a fully functional simulator to let users test new PQC standards in their environments without the immediate need for hardware purchases. This simulator complements the on-premises deployment of Quantum Protect and is crucial for familiarising users with these emerging algorithms before full-scale implementation.

Cindy Provin, Chief Strategy Officer at Utimaco, said, "We are very excited to launch our new Quantum Protect solution as it underlines the crypto agility and future-readiness of Utimaco and our HSM portfolio. It extends the use cases of our HSMs and equips our customers and partners with the crypto-agility capabilities and quantum security they need to secure the future of their products and services."

"With further algorithms already on the roadmap, our u.trust GP HSM Se-Series + Quantum Protect are an investment for a secure future, making Utimaco the best choice as a strategic partner for PQC migration and implementation."

Stephan Zimmermann, Head of NXP's Trust Provisioning Service, remarked on their experience with the pre-release version of Quantum Protect: "We have been using Utimaco's products for years to secure our cryptographic applications, and they continue to prove themselves as a trusted partner in post quantum cryptography."

"We have already used their pre-release version of Quantum Protect and benefited from the latest NIST ML-KEM and ML-DSA algorithms in specific projects. With Utimaco's crypto agile and PQC-ready HSMs, we are enabling quantum-secure firmware updates for our chips and semiconductors, ensuring a seamless transition to a post-quantum secure era."

The initiative received industry acknowledgment when Utimaco was awarded Frost & Sullivan's 2024 Global Competitive Strategy Leadership Award in the Post-Quantum Cryptography sector, recognising its role in aiding businesses with PQC migration.