SiFive, PQShield encryption deal for RISC-V designs
Secure encryption technologies from PQSHield in the UK will be integrated with SiFive’s Essential Core range of RISC-V for post-quantum cryptography, including the use of RISC-V vector extensions.
Alongside using the PQPlatform-CoPro co-processor, the partnership will also port the PQShield extensive cryptographic libraries to SiFive’s Vector-enabled Performance P470 CPUs, accelerating the adoption of post-quantum cryptography for high-performance computing.
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This aligns SiFive processors with the new standards for post-quantum cryptography from NIST in the US where PQShield was a key contributor, and allows PQShield’s cryptographic libraries to use RISC-V vector extensions for the very first time. Through this, developers can maintain post-quantum protection while taking advantage of the performance benefits of RISC-V vector extension implementations in SiFive Performance P470 CPUs.
Powerful quantum computers are soon expected to be able to easily crack the current encryption standards used to protect software and hardware applications globally. This also presents the immediate threat of “harvest now, decrypt later” attacks (where attackers steal data today, to crack into later with a quantum computer). As governments and institutions prepare for the quantum threat, a new cybersecurity benchmark has emerged through NIST’s standardization of post quantum cryptography (PQC) algorithms, which are designed to resist quantum attacks.
Integrating PQShield’s PQPlatform-CoPro technology with SiFive’s Essential RISC-V processors overcomes this challenge and delivers the highest level of protection and trust for automobiles, consumer devices, and defence and aerospace applications.
The combination of the PQShield security IP and SiFive RISC-V processor IP yields a future-proof hardware security solution that can be deployed immediately to establish a quantum-resistant hardware Root-of-Trust.
This allows product designers using the SiFive RISC-V processors to comply with NIST’s recently published standards for post-quantum cryptography without compromising performance or lifecycle.
Graeme Hickey, PQShield’s VP of Engineering, said: “Partnering with SiFive is a perfect match for PQShield as we co-authored NIST’s PQC standards and have contributed extensively to the RISC-V instructions extensions for cryptography. SiFive is revolutionizing RISC-V computing with its high-performance processors, and we are proud to partner with them to protect the aerospace, military, automotive, and consumer device technologies they are powering and help RISC-V innovators stay one step ahead of the attackers.”
Yann Loisel, Principal Security Architect at SiFive, said: “Implementing post-quantum protection is a major step for our Essential and high-performance processors and a strong benefit to our customers. This collaboration ensures that designers of RISC-V vector extensions will be working with the latest generation of cybersecurity. We’re pleased to help the growth of PQC across the RISC-V community following the publication of NIST’s standards.”
www.pqshield.com; www.sifive.com
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