POSEIDON

Progress in information technology—particularly in the field of quantum computing—opens up new possibilities associated with unprecedented computational power, thanks to which many IT processes can become much faster and more efficient. However, this development also brings serious risks to cybersecurity. The cryptographic mechanisms currently in use—essential for protecting communication, sensitive data, public administration systems, financial services, as well as digital identities—may in the future be broken by quantum technologies. This gives rise to a wide range of cyberthreats, from large-scale breaches of data confidentiality to identity substitution and even the takeover of critical infrastructure. In light of these risks, an urgent transformation of cybersecurity systems is required to prepare them for the advent of the post-quantum era.

The POSEIDON (Post-quantum Secure Digital Identities for European Solutions) project represents a response to these challenges. Its main goal is to achieve tangible and effective improvements in cybersecurity and cyber-resilience across the EU, while maintaining technological sovereignty. A key component of the project is the implementation of a safe and effective transition from pre-quantum to post-quantum cryptography (PQC), based on hybrid approaches. As part of the POSEIDON project, modern, scalable cryptographic solutions will be developed and tested, which can be easily integrated with existing systems. They are intended to ensure the security of data storage and transmission, as well as to support public institutions and enterprises in adapting to the forthcoming European regulations regarding cybersecurity.

As a crucial area of the project, digital identity protection is also addressed, as in the face of the growing number of cyberattacks based on the takeover or misuse of authentication data, it is becoming one of the most sensitive elements in the digital ecosystem. Of particular relevance here is the harvest now, decrypt later strategy, in which data intercepted today – including identity and authentication data—may be decrypted in the future thanks to the computing power of quantum computers. The POSEIDON project will deliver tools resilient to future quantum threats, ready for use in new pan-European digital identity services and aligned with the directions of EU security policies such as NIS2, CRA, CSA, or UE Digital Identity Wallet (EUDI).

PPHS's role:

As part of the POSEIDON project, the Polish Platform for Homeland Security will serve as the main coordinator of communication and dissemination activities. The organisation will also play an important role in collaborating with key stakeholders and preparing a comprehensive set of training materials, which can accelerate the implementation of solutions based on post-quantum cryptography (PQC). As part of the project, training tools and a report on competence development will also be produced.

The objective of the activities undertaken within the POSEIDON project is:

• analysis, development, and implementation of post-quantum and hybrid cryptographic mechanisms with an increased level of maturity;

• design and development of models and a set of tools (toolbox) to facilitate the transition to post-quantum cryptography through the application of a hybrid approach and the principle of crypto agility;

• development of easy-to-use tools enabling the implementation of quantum-resistant identity management systems;

• integration and validation of the developed solutions through relevant use cases, allowing their performance to be assessed in real hardware and software environments;

• dissemination of project results, support for knowledge exchange, and strengthening the impact of outcomes through standardisation activities and the preparation of up-to-date recommendations based on project results and analyses of future needs.

Get in touch with us at projekty@ppbw.pl