NATO Tests A Post-Quantum VPN

Scientists are predicting that quantum computers will soon be able to break some commonly used encryption methods and it transpires that NATO and allies have been testing post-quantum solutions to prepare for possible future attacks. 

Post-Quantum provides different algorithms to ensure security, even when facing attackers using quantum computing. 

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) can use these algorithms to secure communications, ensuring that only the correct recipient can read the data. 

The British National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has performed successful tests of communication flows secured for a post-quantum world, using a VPN designed and built by Post-Quantum, a UK-based quantum cyber specialist. The NCSC stated that it is becoming increasingly important to stay alert of current and projected threats, prompting the tests. 

The trial began in March 2021, and was recently completed as quantum computing is becoming more practical and affordable. This means that attackers may begin adopting the technology to advance their attacks. It is thought that a quantum computer will soon be able to break most, if not all, current encryption methods leaving email, secure banking and communications systems vulnerable to disruption from malicious actors. 

This means all large organisations, technology companies and Internet standards will need to transition to quantum-secure encryption.

The NCSC has responsibility for protecting NATO networks as part of a project was financed by the Allied Command Transformation’s VISTA framework.  which is tasked with leveraging knowledge and research done by NATO enterprise, nations, academia and industry to “enable science and technology for accelerated warfare development”. The NCSC worked with a UK-based company Post-Quantum to conduct the test. The company provides organisations with algorithms that ensure security even if attackers are leveraging quantum computing and according to Post-Quantum, its technology blends both post-quantum and traditional encryption algorithms to ensure that data transiting the VPN can only be read by the intended recipient. 

Post-Quantum uses VPN algorithms to secure communications and make sure that only the correct recipient can read the data.

“Securing NATO’s communications for the quantum era is paramount to our ability to operate effectively without fear of interception... With the threat of ‘harvest now and decrypt later’ looming over secure communications, this is an increasingly important effort to protect against current and future threats.” said Konrad Wrona, principal scientist at the NATO Communications & Information Agency (NCIA). 

It will take several years for systems to migrate to quantum-secure technology and right now it appears more realistic to combine cutting-edge algorithms with more traditional encryption to ensure interoperability into the future.

The technology has already been proposed to the Internet Engineering Taskforce (IETF) for open standardisation.

Post-Quantum has developed a suite of quantum-safe software products with a focus on identity, transmission and encryption, delivering end-to-end quantum-secure environments. “Over 10 years of deep R&D means we are well placed to engineer real-world quantum-safe solutions,” said Andersen Cheng, CEO of Post-Quantum. “This project with NATO is an important milestone in the world’s migration to a quantum-safe ecosystem. Organisations would be wise to take action now.”

NCIA:     NCIA:     Computer Weekly:      Oodaloop:     Post-Quantum:     Information Age:     ZDNet:     

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