SAFEcrypto · Project

Quantum-Proof Encryption That Runs Faster and Uses Less Power

digitalPrototypeTRL 5

Right now, most of the encryption protecting your bank account, emails, and business data relies on math problems that future quantum computers could crack wide open. SAFEcrypto built a new type of encryption — based on lattice math — that quantum computers can't break. Think of it like replacing the locks on every door before someone invents a master key. They also made it run 10 times faster and use 5 times less energy than current encryption, so it works on everything from phones to satellites.

By the numbers

10x

speed-up in throughput vs. current RSA/ECC for real-time applications

reduction in energy consumption for low-power and embedded devices

real-world case study demonstrators built

total project deliverables produced

consortium partners across 5 countries

The business problem

What needed solving

Every business that relies on encrypted communications — banking, healthcare, government, cloud services — faces a ticking clock. Quantum computers will eventually break today's standard encryption (RSA, ECC), and sensitive data intercepted now can be stored and decrypted later. Companies need encryption that is quantum-proof, but current post-quantum solutions are too slow and power-hungry for real-time and mobile applications.

The solution

What was built

SAFEcrypto built a lattice-based cryptographic key management prototype and proof-of-concept demonstrators for three real-world scenarios: network security, satellite communications, and low-power embedded/mobile devices. Across 23 deliverables, the project developed digital signatures, authentication schemes, public-key encryption, and identity-based encryption — all designed to resist both quantum and physical side-channel attacks.

Audience

Who needs this

Telecom operators upgrading network encryption for long-term quantum resistanceIoT device manufacturers needing low-power secure communicationCloud service providers protecting customer data against future quantum threatsSatellite communication companies requiring real-time quantum-safe encryptionFinancial institutions and banks securing long-lived transaction records

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Telecommunications & Network Security

enterprise

Target: Network equipment manufacturers and telecom operators

If you are a telecom company dealing with the looming threat of quantum computers breaking your current encryption — SAFEcrypto developed lattice-based cryptographic schemes designed specifically for real-time network security. Their solutions target a 10-fold speed-up in throughput compared to current RSA and Elliptic Curve systems, meaning you can upgrade security without sacrificing network performance.

IoT & Embedded Devices

any

Target: IoT device manufacturers and smart infrastructure providers

If you are an IoT manufacturer struggling with encryption that drains batteries and slows down resource-constrained devices — SAFEcrypto built post-quantum cryptographic implementations targeting a 5-fold reduction in energy consumption. They specifically addressed mobile, battery-operated devices, delivering proof-of-concept demonstrators with low power consumption requirements.

Cloud & Satellite Communications

enterprise

Target: Cloud service providers and satellite communication companies

If you are a cloud or satellite communications provider worried about long-term data security against quantum threats — SAFEcrypto developed public-key encryption, digital signatures, and identity-based encryption schemes resistant to quantum attacks. They built a key management prototype to handle the larger key sizes (kilobytes or megabytes) that lattice-based cryptography requires.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would it cost to integrate this post-quantum encryption into our systems?

The project did not publish specific licensing fees or integration costs. SAFEcrypto was a Research and Innovation Action with 10 consortium partners. Businesses interested in licensing or collaboration should contact the consortium through Queen's University of Belfast.

Can this encryption work at industrial scale in production environments?

SAFEcrypto delivered proof-of-concept demonstrators for three real-world case studies covering network security, satellite communications, and low-power embedded devices. Their objective was to achieve comparable area costs to current RSA and ECC implementations, suggesting production-scale viability was a design goal, though full commercial deployment would require further engineering.

What is the IP situation — can we license this technology?

The project produced 23 deliverables including a lattice-based cryptographic key management prototype. IP is likely held by the consortium partners. Licensing terms would need to be negotiated with Queen's University of Belfast as coordinator and the relevant industrial partners.

Is this really necessary now, or can we wait?

Current encryption (RSA, ECC) will become vulnerable once large-scale quantum computers arrive. Data encrypted today can be harvested and decrypted later — a threat known as 'harvest now, decrypt later.' Organizations handling sensitive long-term data should begin transition planning now.

How hard is it to integrate with our existing security infrastructure?

SAFEcrypto developed key management solutions specifically to address the challenge of larger key sizes in lattice-based cryptography. Their prototype demonstrates that integration with existing key management workflows is feasible. The consortium included 3 industry partners who contributed practical deployment perspectives.

Does this meet current and upcoming regulatory requirements?

Post-quantum cryptography is increasingly mandated by standards bodies. Based on available project data, SAFEcrypto's lattice-based schemes align with the direction of NIST post-quantum standardization efforts. The project's focus on digital signatures and authentication maps directly to compliance requirements.

Consortium

Who built it

The SAFEcrypto consortium brings together 10 partners from 5 countries (CH, DE, FR, IE, UK), with a balanced mix of 4 universities, 2 research organizations, and 3 industry players — giving it a 30% industry ratio. The presence of industrial partners suggests real-world grounding, though only 1 SME participated. Queen's University of Belfast coordinated the project, providing strong academic leadership in cryptography. For a business considering this technology, the multi-country European consortium means the solutions were designed with diverse regulatory and market requirements in mind, though further commercialization partnerships would likely be needed to bring products to market.

THE QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY OF BELFASTCoordinator · UK
INSTITUT NATIONAL DE RECHERCHE EN INFORMATIQUE ET AUTOMATIQUEparticipant · FR
IBM RESEARCH GMBHparticipant · CH
THALES UK LIMITEDparticipant · UK
ECOLE NORMALE SUPERIEUREthirdparty · FR
UNIVERSITA DELLA SVIZZERA ITALIANAparticipant · CH
RUHR-UNIVERSITAET BOCHUMparticipant · DE
EMC INFORMATION SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL UNLIMITED COMPANYparticipant · IE
CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRSthirdparty · FR
H W COMMUNICATIONS LIMITEDparticipant · UK

How to reach the team

Queen's University of Belfast (UK) — check university cryptography or CSIT research centre pages for the principal investigator's contact details

Order a report on this consortium See THE QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY OF BELFAST profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to explore post-quantum encryption solutions from EU research? SciTransfer can connect you with the SAFEcrypto team and help evaluate fit for your security infrastructure.

Order a report on this topic More in Digital & ICT