The company from Gdańsk will develop a satellite communication security system based on post-quantum algorithms for ESA. The aim of the project is to create a cryptographic system for satellites that will protect communications against new threats posed by quantum computers.
The European Space Agency (ESA) has selected AROBS Polska, a company based in Gdańsk (part of the AROBS Group), to develop and implement the Post-Quantum Cryptography Algorithms for Satellite Telecommunication Applications (PQC ASTrAL) project.
The media release emphasized that the development of quantum computer technology creates challenges for cybersecurity related to the potential risk of compromising traditional cryptographic algorithms.
The aim of the PQC ASTrAL project is to implement a quantum-resistant cryptographic system that enables satellites to perform authentication, digital signatures and encryption in a secure and sustainable manner in the long term.
The initiative is carried out within the Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES) Space Systems for Safety and Security (4S) programme of the Communications and Secure Communications Directorate of the European Space Agency.
AROBS Polska is the main contractor responsible for the development of hardware and important software elements. The subcontractor is ResQuant – a company specializing in cryptographic solutions, which is responsible for the cryptographic aspects of the project.
“The rapid development of quantum computers poses a significant challenge to cybersecurity, as traditional encryption systems become vulnerable to the extraordinary computing power of future quantum computers. Compromising cryptographic keys can have serious consequences, from unauthorized interception of communications to the takeover of devices,” says Voicu Oprean, founder and CEO of AROBS.
He added that the solution developed by the company will contribute to increasing the security of satellite communications in the long run.
The system will enable the generation and management of cryptographic keys on satellites and mission control stations, data encryption and authentication, as well as key verification using post-quantum methods (standardized by the American National Institute of Standards and Technology in August 2024). It will also enable the distribution and validation of software packages for satellites.
The solution complies with international safety standards. It will be compatible with SpaceWire and SpaceFibre – two fast aeronautical communication protocols that facilitate data transfer between systems on board the satellite and other spacecraft – the company said in a press release.
“Securing satellite communications is a complex challenge, especially for devices with planned long operating times and limited physical access. Updating software, cryptographic certificates and key negotiation mechanisms are key processes for maintaining security, but weak elements in current systems can enable attacks using forged digital signatures or compromised cryptographic keys. With the rapid development of quantum computers, traditional cryptographic standards no longer provide long-term security guarantees,” emphasizes Michał Szwajewski, CEO of AROBS Polska.
“By integrating post-quantum algorithms and implementing security mechanisms in hardware, the PQC ASTrAL project significantly reduces these risks by decoupling cryptographic processing from the satellite's core systems, minimizing vulnerability to cyberattacks. This approach ensures a high level of security for satellite communications (…)” – he adds.
Laurent Jaffart, ESA's Director for Communications and Secure Communications, quoted in the press release, emphasizes that national security agencies in Europe are encouraging the transition of critical infrastructure to post-quantum cryptography. (PAP)
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