In the Quantum Era, the National Cryptographic System Begins a Major Shift with 'Quantum-Resistant Cryptography'

Pilot Project for Quantum-Resistant Cryptography
Targeting Key Information Systems in Energy, Healthcare, and Administration
Government to Select Final Operators for Each Sector Next Month

The government is promoting a pilot project this year to transition major information systems in three key areas closely related to citizens' lives?energy, healthcare, and administration?to 'quantum-resistant cryptography.'

Quantum-resistant cryptography is based on mathematical problems (such as lattice-based and hash-based) that are more complex than currently used public key algorithms (like integer factorization and discrete logarithms) and are difficult to solve even with quantum computers.

An SK Telecom employee holding a 5x5mm quantum random number generation chip at the 'Quantum Cryptography Communication National Test Network' located in SK Telecom Bundang Office. Photo by Asia Economy DB

On the 27th, the Ministry of Science and ICT announced that, together with the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA), it will promote a pilot transition support project for quantum-resistant cryptography as a cornerstone for shifting the national cryptographic system to prepare for threats in the quantum era.

The government has initiated the pilot transition project for quantum-resistant cryptography because, with the advancement of science and technology and the realization of quantum computer technology, the existing cryptographic systems are increasingly vulnerable to security threats.

The government has established a master plan to transition the domestic cryptographic system to quantum-resistant cryptography, which remains secure against the rapid computational power of quantum computers, by 2035. As part of this master plan, from 2025 to 2028, a four-year pilot transition project for quantum-resistant cryptography will be promoted across various industries such as healthcare, defense, and finance.

This year, major information systems in the three sectors of energy, healthcare, and administration are targeted for the quantum-resistant cryptography pilot transition project. Through a preliminary briefing session last month, the necessity of transitioning to quantum-resistant cryptography was communicated, industry opinions were gathered, and consortia were recruited. A total of nine consortia applied for the three consortium recruitments, and final operators for each sector will be selected through evaluations next month.

Ryu Jae-myung, Director of the Network Policy Office at the Ministry of Science and ICT, said, "The transition to quantum-resistant cryptography will be the cornerstone for providing a secure security system in the AI era," adding, "Through this pilot transition project, we will be fully prepared to respond to any security threats posed by quantum computers at any time."