A three-and-a-half-year research initiative has been launched in Singapore to produce the first open-source processor system capable of resisting quantum computer attacks.
The project, known as QUASAR-CREATE, seeks to address a specific vulnerability in modern digital infrastructure, which is the eventual ability of quantum computers to bypass current encryption methods.
By utilizing the RISC-V open-standard architecture, the consortium intends to integrate security protocols directly into the physical hardware and move away from the software-only defenses that currently dominate the cybersecurity landscape.
The focus of this effort is the development of a Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) RISC-V processor.
Researchers involved in the program argue that relying solely on software to counter quantum threats is insufficient for long-term security. Software layers can be prone to vulnerabilities that hardware-level integration might avoid.
Moving beyond software-only security solutions
“Software-only solutions would not be sufficient to meet the high, future-proof requirements for long-term trustworthy technology, transparency, and resilience,” said the researchers in a press release.
