The cryptography used would allow state messages to withstand even the most advanced decryption methods.
One hundred years after the first diplomatic telegram between the French Embassy in the United States and Paris, France marked a milestone on November 30 by taking a giant step in protecting its most sensitive communications.
An experiment
New threats are emerging. The attacks and the machines capable of perpetrating them are increasingly sophisticated. ” Tomorrow, a sufficiently powerful quantum computer will be able to break all cryptography algorithms and decipher our messages. To counter this threat, developing post-quantum encryption technologies is a strategic challenge. “Explained Emmanuel Macron on Twitter. Even if the risk remains measured for the moment, we must still prepare for it.
It is in this context, and in the continuity of the cooperation projects between Washington and Paris on the quantum, that this life-size test took place. Concretely, it aimed to transmit a simple memo, signed between the United States and France. Among the algorithms chosen, Crystals-Dilithium and Frodo-Kem, respectively recommended by the National Institute of Standards and Technologies (NIST) and the National Agency for Information Systems Security (ANSSI).
The operation was carried out with the assistance of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs as well as the company CryptoNext Security, which emanates from Inria, CNRS and Sorbonne University. This start-up, beyond its commercial thrust, remains at the forefront of academic research work on post-quantum cryptography solutions.
“ Here we are ! »
While Emmanuel Macron formalized his quantum strategy by unveiling a massive plan in January 2021, the government is expected to present sometime in 2023 “ a first action plan “including” a methodology and timeline for migrating to post-quantum cryptography [des] critical infrastructure “, details the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs in a press release. For his part, the President of the Republic warmly welcomed this first success. ” Here we are he enthused.
As part of the France 2030 plan, some 150 million euros will be devoted to this advanced cryptography. In total, the French Quantum plan represents 1.8 billion euros of investment.
Source: Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs
0