Communication of sensitive or classified information can be secured by the use of encryption devices that are approved for high-security use. Since such encryption devices are not offered by Austrian manufacturers, they currently have to be procured from other nations (e.g., Germany, Switzerland). As a result, devices that may have been developed under the influence of foreign intelligence services, are used to protect national classified information. Due to the lack of availability of encryption devices "made in Austria", the question arises as to whether the necessary technologies and know-how are available in Austria to implement encryption devices with internationally established cryptographic algorithms (such as AES, SHA) and a national chain-of-trust.
The AUTKRYPTO project addresses this question with regard to three central aspects. The first step is to identify the potential stakeholders (e.g., security ministries and authorities) and their requirements. In addition to the requirements regarding secure communication using a post-quantum secure Virtual Private Network (VPN), questions arise from trusted boot to maintenance, crypto agility, extensibility with regards to new cryptographic algorithms and certification. On a technical level, a demonstrator of a secure hardware platform is being developed, which is intended to implement a secure post-quantum VPN implementation with an FPGA/software co-design architecture. From an economic point of view, the aspect is examined whether the development of an Austrian encryption device can currently be implemented with the existing technologies and know-how or whether further investments in IT security companies, education and research funding are necessary in order to be able to build up missing skills.
Project Lead
Dr. Sebastian Ramacher
AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH
Partners
REPUCO Unternehmensberatung GmbH
System Industrie Electronic GmbH
xFace eU
Bundesministerium für Landesverteidigung
Bundeskanzleramt
Contact
Dr. Sebastian Ramacher
AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH
Giefinggasse 4, 1210 Wien
0664 88335510
sebastian.ramacher(at)ait.ac.at
https://ait.ac.at
