Intercede, a UK-based cybersecurity software company, has entered into a strategic partnership with German firm Swissbit, a prominent manufacturer of industrial-grade storage and security solutions. The collaboration is set to focus on developing and implementing advanced post-quantum authentication capabilities, a crucial step in preparing for the cryptographic challenges posed by future quantum computers.
The partnership will see Intercede's MyID software, a widely used platform for digital identity and access management, integrated with Swissbit's secure elements. These hardware-based security modules are designed to protect sensitive data and cryptographic keys, offering a robust foundation for the new authentication methods. The combined solution aims to provide organisations with a resilient defence against the computational power of quantum machines, which could potentially render current encryption standards obsolete.
The threat of quantum computing to existing cybersecurity infrastructure is a growing concern for governments and businesses worldwide. While fully functional, large-scale quantum computers are still some years away, the concept of 'harvest now, decrypt later' means that encrypted data collected today could be vulnerable to decryption once quantum capabilities advance. This partnership is a proactive measure to address this 'quantum threat' by developing cryptographic solutions that can withstand such attacks.
For Intercede, known for its expertise in digital identity, this collaboration represents an expansion of its secure credential management offerings. By incorporating post-quantum cryptographic algorithms, the company aims to ensure that its MyID platform remains at the forefront of digital security. Swissbit, with its specialisation in secure embedded memory, brings essential hardware capabilities to the partnership, ensuring that the cryptographic processes are protected at the physical level.
The development of post-quantum cryptography (PQC) is an international effort, with various standards bodies and research institutions working to identify and standardise new algorithms. This commercial partnership between Intercede and Swissbit will contribute to the practical implementation of these emerging standards, providing tangible solutions for secure digital interactions in a post-quantum world. The initial focus will likely be on critical infrastructure, government, and defence sectors, where the need for long-term security is paramount.