March 10, 2025 -- Cryptography is as important as it is difficult: complex mathematics and complex computer science embedded in a complex technological system. Above all, however, cryptography is constantly under attack. Only the best version at any given time will survive – until it becomes obsolete. There is no such thing as security at a standstill.

Good crypto systems therefore need everything: the latest findings from cutting-edge research, industrial expertise and innovative strength in practical application and a political level that lays the foundations for widespread implementation. That is why DLR is particularly pleased about their strategic cooperation with the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) in their QUANTITY cryptanalysis project: by bringing their expertise together, they are supporting the development and dissemination of secure encryption methods in the age of powerful quantum computers. For DLR, this is another example of the importance of cooperation with authorities in the security-relevant field.

With this cooperation, DLR is building a bridge between basic research and practical security assessment: QUANTITY is investigating the significance of quantum computers for cryptanalysis and is helping to identify new threat scenarios at an early stage and develop suitable protective measures to secure sensitive data and communication infrastructures. The BSI in turn contributes its many years of expertise in cryptanalysis, quantum algorithms and post-quantum cryptography to ensure a scientifically sound and practice-oriented evaluation of the results.

Together, DLR ensure that research findings can be incorporated into safety assessments and possible guidelines at an early stage.

Challenge: quantum computers and cryptography

As the development of quantum computers progresses, there is a growing need to analyse existing encryption methods for their resistance to new threats. In 16 years at the latest, according to an analysis by the BSI in the current report, Status of quantum computer development, cryptographic relevance will be achieved – but perhaps much sooner. Business, government and research therefore need to take action today.

QUANTITY is therefore dedicated to the investigation of cryptographically relevant quantum algorithms and their potential impact on current and future cryptosystems. While cryptosystems are currently considered to be quantum computer resistant if they can withstand attacks by the known algorithms of Shor and Grover, QUANTITY extends this perspective: To determine the security level of encryption methods, the most efficient attacks on both classical and quantum computers must be taken into account.

The project investigates how classical cryptanalysis methods can be accelerated by quantum algorithms and analyses existing quantum algorithms for their cryptographic relevance. The team will also analyse the performance of the algorithms on their hardware platforms. Based on these findings, the team will develop novel quantum computer-assisted cryptanalysis methods and test them using a proof-of-concept implementation.

QUANTITY is being developed by the DLR Institute of Communications and Navigation in collaboration with the simulation start-up HQS Quantum Simulations. HQS is contributing its expertise in the field of quantum algorithms and simulations in order to develop and test practical applications for cryptanalysis.