LG Uplus and NIA Launch Quantum-Resistant Cryptography Transition Contest for University Students

Two Categories: Algorithm Optimization and Application
Final Winning Teams to Be Announced in November

LG Uplus announced on July 27 that it will host the "Quantum-Resistant Cryptography Transition Technology Contest" for undergraduate and graduate students, in collaboration with the National Information Society Agency (NIA), the Korea Institute of Information Security and Cryptology, and Cryptolab.

This contest is designed to assess the real-world applicability of quantum-resistant cryptography (PQC), a core technology for the quantum computing era, and to discover practical talent that can be utilized in the industry. Quantum computers can rapidly compromise existing public key cryptosystems such as RSA and ECC. Therefore, the introduction and advancement of PQC technology is essential to counter these threats.

The contest is divided into two categories: ▲Algorithm Optimization and ▲Algorithm Application. The Algorithm Optimization category covers performance, resource, and speed optimization technologies for FPGA, ASIC, and embedded environments, as well as mathematical operation optimization techniques. The Algorithm Application category focuses on use cases and demonstration projects applying PQC technology in various fields, including software, communications, and services.

Participants can directly verify their algorithms and results using the "PQC Migration Platform" during the project. This platform was established as part of the "Open Quantum Testbed Construction and Operation" project by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Information Society Agency. It provides a variety of PQC algorithm libraries, APIs, side-channel attack analysis, and performance testing functions.

Contest applications will be accepted through the PQC Migration Platform webpage until September 12, and each participant must submit their results online by the deadline. Experts will participate in the evaluation, assessing technical completeness, security, practicality, and scalability. The judging process consists of a first-round document review and a second-round presentation evaluation, with the final winning teams to be announced in November.

The final winners will receive the following prizes: ▲Grand Prize (1 team): 5 million KRW ▲Excellence Award (2 teams): 3 million KRW each ▲Merit Award (2 teams): 2 million KRW each. Outstanding technologies and ideas will be applied to public and private sector security systems through the PQC Migration Platform, serving as foundational technologies to respond to changes in international security standards.

Kim Younghee, Director of the Quantum Technology Utilization Center at the National Information Society Agency, said, "We expect this contest to expand the domestic PQC industry ecosystem and discover outstanding talent." Joo Eomgae, Executive Director of the Wired Business Division at LG Uplus, said, "We hope this contest will serve as a catalyst to expand the domestic PQC ecosystem and accelerate the practical application and advancement of the technology."