PQ-REACT Delivering impact: The PQ-REACT Framework
During our three years of intense work, PQ-REACT delivered a framework that combined multiple elements into a practical ecosystem for assessment, validation, and migration to the post-quantum era.
The framework explained.
As our Coordinator, Akis Kourtis, explains, “the best way to picture our project is an ecosystem composed of seven interconnected building blocks that fit together. This is what we call the key exploitable results. Each one stands on its own, but the real power comes from how they work together.”
The seven building blocks can be summarised as follows:
- The migration framework is a structured methodology that helps an organisation move from classical cryptography to quantum-resistant algorithms.
- The PQC algorithm catalogue, a curated repository of post-quantum algorithms, which provides detailed information about each one.
- The quantum processing unit, based on the language Fraunhofer Focus has developed, called Eclipse Qrisp, helps us evaluate how post-quantum algorithms really resist quantum attacks.
- The three PQ-REACT use cases: 1) PQC for smart grids, which applies quantum-resistant cryptography to smart grid deployments, 2) QKD enablers for 5G, which is an on-demand quantum key distribution and PQC mode running over a 5G network, 3) PQC Enablers for Distributed Ledgers — A quantum-resistant ledger prototype designed for managing service level agreements across end-to-end network slicing
- The PQ-REACT interfaces and enablers, external interfacing with the open call awardees, expanding the ecosystem across industries and sectors
“Taking all this into account, the seven elements provide the complete chain: a methodology for planning, a catalogue to select from, real hardware and simulations for validation, and, aside from the three pilot domains, a broad range of industries and sectors where PQC has actually been deployed and tested.“
The implementation.
The implementation has been completed as we are nearing the final stage of our project, progressing through each domain with the three pilots, along with their associated open call horizontal components.
The migration framework and algorithm catalogue serve as the horizontal layer, which anyone can utilise to plan their own migration. Furthermore, the pilots act as practical blueprints. For instance, a utility focusing on quantum-safe smart grid communications can use the smart grid pilot as a basis. Similarly, a telecom company can adopt the same approach with a 5G pilot. The same principle applies to a blockchain or ledger operator with a ledger pilot, or a network operations centre seeking to integrate and develop blockchain-based technology.
PQ-REACT have also opened the framework through two open calls, which brought in SMEs and technology providers to test their own PQ-based solutions inside the PQ-REACT environment. This widened the implementation beyond the original consortium and fed the project with real world feedback back into these tools.
Finally, the outputs are being pushed to standards bodies, the wide SPQR cluster PQ-REACT is leading, and other EU projects that can build on them rather than duplicating the effort.
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