The PQ-REACT publications enrich Europe’s PQC efforts
As quantum computing moves from scientific promise to technological reality, Europe is racing to prepare the digital world for a future where today’s encryption may no longer be secure.
Through a variety of scientific publications, PQ-REACT is helping shape the knowledge that will underpin Europe’s transition to post-quantum cybersecurity.
Every day, billions of digital transactions rely on cryptographic algorithms that quietly protect our communications, financial systems, energy infrastructure and public services. However, advances in quantum computing threaten to undermine many of these trusted security mechanisms, creating an urgent need for new approaches that can withstand the computing power of tomorrow.
The PQ-REACT scientific contribution
The PQ-REACT publications, rather than focusing on a single cryptographic algorithm or technology, address every stage of the transition towards quantum resilience. From the mathematical foundations of new encryption methods to their practical deployment in critical infrastructures. The publications explore topics including lattice-based cryptography, quantum key distribution, cryptographic agility, secure messaging, blockchain resilience and efficient implementations of post-quantum algorithms. Others investigate entirely new approaches to evaluating the security of future cryptographic systems through artificial intelligence, advanced simulation and quantum software frameworks.
“Together, these publications reflect one of the project’s greatest strengths: combining excellence in fundamental research with an emphasis on practical implementation”.
From mathematics to real-world applications
“Preparing for the post-quantum era is not simply about replacing one encryption algorithm with another”.
Modern digital infrastructures, from smart electricity grids and 5G networks to distributed ledgers and industrial systems, depend on complex combinations of cryptographic technologies developed over decades. Migrating these systems safely requires careful planning, flexible architectures and extensive testing.
The PQ-REACT research portfolio mirrors this complexity. Some studies focus on improving the mathematical efficiency of post-quantum algorithms, helping reduce computational overhead. Others investigate secure routing for quantum key distribution networks, while several publications examine how error correction, artificial intelligence and software frameworks can improve the performance and validation of quantum-safe systems.
The result is a research ecosystem that connects theoretical cryptography with engineering challenges faced by organisations preparing for the quantum age.
Beyond its scientific publications, PQ-REACT has also promoted open collaboration through its GitHub repositories, making selected project resources, software components, and technical developments openly accessible to the research and innovation community. By embracing open-source practices, the project has supported transparency, reproducibility, and knowledge sharing, enabling researchers, developers, and stakeholders to build upon its work and accelerate the adoption of post-quantum cryptography solutions.
As PQ-REACT approaches the final phase of its journey, its publication portfolio and GitHub serve as a growing reference library for researchers, policymakers, and technology developers preparing for one of the most significant cybersecurity transitions in decades.
And as Akis Kourtis, Project Coordinator of PQ-REACT and researcher at the National Centre for Scientific Research “Demokritos” quoted in our last podcast:
“The overall vision remains the same: making the transition to post-quantum cryptography practical, secure, and manageable, while significantly increasing the scale and maturity of the solutions.”
Listen to the full discussion of What We Built here.