LG Uplus announced on the 27th that it will hold a 'post-quantum cryptography migration technology competition' for domestic university and graduate students in collaboration with the National Information Society Agency (NIA), the Korean Institute of Information Security and Cryptology, and CryptoLab.
This competition was planned to examine the practical applicability of post-quantum cryptography (PQC), which is a key technology in preparation for the era of quantum computing, and to discover practical talent that can be applied in the industry. Quantum computers can quickly neutralize existing public key cryptography systems like RSA and ECC, making the introduction and advancement of PQC technology essential.
The competition categories are divided into two: ▲PQC algorithm optimization and ▲PQC algorithm application. The 'algorithm optimization' category focuses on performance, resources, and speed optimization techniques in FPGA, ASIC, or embedded environments, while the 'algorithm application' category targets case studies and experimental projects for applying PQC technology in various areas, including software, communication, and services.
Participants can directly validate algorithms and results through the 'PQC migration platform' during the project execution. This platform was established as part of the Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Information Society Agency's 'open quantum testbed construction and operation' project, providing various functionalities such as a library of PQC algorithms, API, liability attack analysis, and performance testing.
Registration for the competition will be conducted through the PQC migration platform webpage by Sept. 12, and each participant must submit their results online by the deadline. Evaluation will involve experts from cryptography, security engineering, and systems application who will assess based on technical completeness, security, practicality, and scalability through a first document review and a second presentation evaluation, with the final award-winning teams to be announced in November.
The final winners will receive prizes of ▲500,000 won for the grand prize (1 team), ▲300,000 won each for the excellence award (2 teams), and ▲200,000 won each for the distinguished award (2 teams). Excellent technologies and ideas will be applied to public and private sector security systems through the PQC migration platform, serving as foundational technology to respond to changes in international security standards.
Additionally, LG Uplus is conducting regular online PQC technology seminars to enhance interest and knowledge levels regarding PQC technology. On the 25th, Dr. Choi Hyung-min from CryptoLab conducted the first seminar covering topics such as ▲understanding modern cryptography and ▲trends in post-quantum cryptography technology and standardization.
Kim Young-hee, head of the Quantum Technology Utilization Center at the National Information Society Agency, noted, 'We hope this competition will expand the domestic PQC industry ecosystem and discover talented individuals.'
Joo Uhm-gae, managing director of the wired business at LG Uplus, said, 'PQC is a key technology that will become the trust foundation of the future digital society,' adding, 'We hope this competition will accelerate the expansion of the domestic PQC ecosystem and the practical utilization and advancement of technology.'