The rapidly growing trend towards intelligent manufacturing is causing an increased volume of communication between the various components in operating technology. As communication increasingly takes place beyond the boundaries of one’s own trust domain, strictly authenticated and secured communication connections are no longer sufficient. It must also be possible to check the trustworthiness of the data generated and exchanged on the devices.
This is precisely where the newly launched research project PoQsiKom (Post-Quantum Secure Communication for Industry 4.0) comes in. Fraunhofer AISEC, the Technical University of Munich, Siemens AG and TRUMPF Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH are working together on the project. They are developing hardware and software components that will enable the universal use of cryptographically secured trust anchors on operating technology components and edge devices. Particular attention is being paid to hardening the operating systems used and securing the trust anchor against attacks by quantum computers in order to be able to guarantee long-term security. The basis for this is the efficient application of post-quantum cryptography for the trust anchor to be developed.
The PoQsiKom project is developing one of the essential foundations for enabling the long-term secure, sovereign and efficient networking of operating technology in Industry 4.0 and thus ensuring a high level of interoperability. The aim of the project is the practical implementation of the research results in an industrial demonstrator, which is being set up in cooperation with South Korea.
Project duration: December 01, 2021 - November 30, 2024
Project funding:
The PoQsiKom project is funded by
