Samsung SDS Proves Quantum-Resistant Cryptography Technology... 'Responding to Quantum Computing Security Threats'

Samsung SDS announced on the 11th that the 'AIMer' algorithm, developed through industry-academia collaboration with KAIST, was selected as the final algorithm in the 'Quantum-resistant cryptography algorithm for electronic signatures' category of the 'KpqC Contest'. KpqC stands for Korea post-quantum cryptography.



Panoramic view of Samsung SDS Tower. [Photo = Samsung SDS]



Quantum-resistant cryptography (PQC) is a technology that can further protect user data against the possibility that quantum computers can neutralize the security of existing encryption systems. This national contest was held to secure Korean-style quantum-resistant cryptography in preparation for the quantum computer era, and was conducted in two categories: 'electronic signature' and 'key establishment'.



An electronic signature is an encryption algorithm that verifies the authenticity of the source and data integrity, and prevents denial of signer. Key establishment is an encryption algorithm for sharing secret keys between different parties.



Samsung SDS was in charge of designing and implementing the encryption algorithm, while KAIST (Crypt Lab) was in charge of the security analysis. 'AIMer' is a self-developed one-way function-based encryption algorithm, not a mathematically difficult problem-based algorithm such as prime factorization. The one-way function method is known to be safer than the mathematically difficult problem method in a quantum computing environment because it is impossible to restore once encrypted.



'AIMer' is a method similar to FIPS205 (SLH-DSA), which has strong security among the 'Quantum-resistant Cryptography Standard Algorithms' announced by the National Institute of Standards and



Technology (NIST) in the United States in 2024. However, 'AIMer' is 6.35 times faster and has a 2.9 times smaller signature size, making it easy to apply to lightweight terminals such as mobile/IoT devices. The selected algorithm will be standardized in accordance with domestic and international standards in accordance with the National Quantum-resistant Cryptography Transition Master Plan announced by the National Intelligence Service and the Ministry of Science and ICT, and Samsung SDS will also promote standardization in accordance with domestic and international standards.



Samsung SDS has already applied quantum-resistant cryptography to the communication section of the Samsung Cloud Platform (SCP) on a trial basis and plans to continue expanding it. In addition, Samsung Cloud Platform (SCP) also provides technology for quantum-resistant cryptography transition (S-CAPE). S-CAPE is a technology that automatically identifies and monitors cryptographic systems with quantum vulnerabilities in IT systems.



Starting in 2022, Samsung SDS will be the only Asian company to participate in the quantum-resistant cryptography transition project (Migration to PQC) hosted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in the United States, and will list its technologies in the cybersecurity practice guide 'Compatibility and Performance Guidelines (SP 1800-38C)' and 'Quantum Vulnerability Identification Compatibility Guidelines (SP 1800-38B)'.



"Being selected as a standard algorithm in the national quantum-resistant cryptography contest is an opportunity for Samsung SDS to once again be recognized for its security capabilities and technological prowess," said Kwon Young-jun, head of Samsung SDS Research Center (Vice President). "Security is especially important for corporate cloud services, and we will continue to apply quantum-resistant cryptography implementation and conversion technology to the Samsung Cloud Platform (SCP) to create even safer services."





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