Finland-based hardware cryptographic security company Xiphera has announced a partnership with Crypto Quantique, a provider of quantum-driven IoT device security, to provide quantum-resilience and immutable device identity for cryptographic hardware modules.

This combines Xiphera’s nQrux hardware trust engines and quantum-secure cryptographic IP with Crypto Quantique’s QDID PUF physically unclonable function.

The QDID PUF (www.cryptoquantique.com/qdid-puf-ip) generates quantum-derived, secure, unclonable identities based on manufacturing variations unique to each semiconductor chip. The PUF, alongside other cryptographic primitives, forms the essential hardware root-of-trust IP required in security implementations.

NQrux hardware trust engines (xiphera.com/hardware-trust-engines) offer customisable cryptographic security modules with hardware-level trust and security services for the most critical environments and applications. NQrux IP cores enable full isolation of cryptographic operations and application-specific data into secure hardware elements.

Xiphera’s portfolio of cryptographic IP cores includes traditional cryptographic algorithms, as well as post-quantum cryptography (PQC) fighting against the looming quantum threat.

“Many industrial and governmental entities recommend implementing quantum-resilient hardware to prevent quantum attacks on current and future data,” said Kimmo Järvinen, CTO of Xiphera. “Cryptographic root-of-trust forms the security foundation of modern hardware infrastructures. Upgrading these critical components to quantum-resilient algorithms and integrating Crypto Quantique’s PUF technology enables our customers to protect the identities and core security of their hardware devices into the foreseeable future.”

Crypto Quantique CEO Shahram Mossayebi, added: “The combination of nQrux hardware trust engines and QDID provides the adaptability and upgradeability required for the security of connected devices. QDID creates random numbers on demand, so there is no need to store cryptographic keys in flash memory. This eliminates the danger of side-channel memory attacks revealing the keys. In addition, because PQC algorithms have large cryptographic keys, the PUF technology reduces the size of flash memory needed, reducing both power consumption and saving silicon area.”

Xiphera (xiphera.com) designs and implements hardware-based security using proven cryptographic algorithms. The company’s cryptographic expertise and experience in digital system design enables it to help users protect valuable assets.

Crypto Quantique (cryptoquantique.com) is a software and IP company creating end-to-end IoT security that can be seamlessly integrated from chip design to cloud connectivity. It has partnerships with semiconductor companies including ST Microelectronics, Microchip and Renesas, and OEMs such as Würth Elektronik. Crypto Quantique is headquartered in London, and has offices in the USA, Europe and Taiwan.