Date: 23/09/2023

QuickLogic and Xiphera partner on post-quantum cryptography on eFPGAs

QuickLogic in partnership with Xiphera implementing Xiphera's xQlave quantum-secure cryptographic IP cores on QuickLogic's eFPGA architecture to secure digital assets against the quantum threat type cyber threats.

Implementing xQlave ML-KEM (Kyber) on QuickLogic’s eFPGA

With the rapid development of quantum computers and the increasing threat they pose to information and network security, the need for robust cybersecurity measures has become more crucial than ever. Xiphera answers the quantum-threat with its xQlave™ family of PQC IP cores. The family includes ML-KEM (Kyber) and ML-DSA(Dilithium) – primary PQC algorithms in the PQC standard draft of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) – with logic-only implementations. Together, these IP cores provide quantum-secure key exchange, digital signature and authentication.

eFPGA technology offers two key benefits to implementing hardware security – distributed on-chip programmability, and the ability to parallelize intensive algorithmic computation requirements. This enables the eFPGA IP cores to offload heavy cryptographic operations from processor/software implementations, resulting in superior boot up and key calculation times. Furthermore, keys and secrets can be isolated from the rest of the system providing secure access only to trusted components. eFPGA technology also enables so-called crypto agility, which is the ability to update underlaying cryptographic algorithms and protocols, even after an SoC/ASIC has already been deployed into the field.

QuickLogic's eFPGA IP is generated using the Australis IP generator, which supports any foundry and any process geometry while at the same time having the ability to create customized eFPGA IP that meets customers' PPA requirements and provides the ideal hardware platform for post-quantum cryptographic algorithms. Combining Xiphera's xQlave™ PQC solutions with traditional cryptographic algorithms (ECC or RSA) into a hybrid scheme enables a future-proof secure system on new and already existing eFPGA platforms.

Benefits of the Joint Solution:

Data Protection: Implementing xQlave ML-KEM (Kyber) on QuickLogic's eFPGA architecture reinforces product security architecture, ensuring data protection against future threats.
Enhanced Performance: Hardware acceleration through QuickLogic's eFPGA architecture significantly optimizes the performance of Xiphera's xQlave family's ML-KEM (Kyber) and ML-DSA (Dilithium) IP cores.
Secure Storage: The secluded block RAMs of the QuickLogic eFPGA architecture enable secure storage of secrets, without allowing privileged upper system components to access them.
Future Compatibility: The implementation allows for easy upgrades to support the final NIST PQC standards when available, ensuring mission-critical systems remain secure against quantum threats.

"This partnership allows us to leverage the power of hardware acceleration and quantum-secure algorithms to deliver enhanced data protection and performance for our customers," said Mao Wang, senior director of product marketing at QuickLogic.

"With the rise of quantum computing, and government mandates to protect critical infrastructures against the threat posed by it, the time to address post-quantum cryptography in hardware security design is now. Xiphera's standards-based PQC IP combined with the design flexibility of QuickLogic's eFPGA platform enables solution designers to cost-effectively meet the rapidly evolving market demands for quantum-resilience," said Tommi Lampila, director of business development at Xiphera.

Availability
The QuickLogic and Xiphera solution for post-quantum cryptography is available now.

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