The Finnish cybersecurity company Xiphera is participating in a three-year national research project Beyond the Limits of Post-Quantum Cryptography (BLimPQC), led by VTT. The project aims to protect Finnish society from cybersecurity threats posed by quantum computers. With a total budget of €6.3 million, the initiative has been launched in April 2025 by VTT in collaboration with Finnish universities, public authorities, and companies.
The development of quantum computers is progressing rapidly. According to some estimates, quantum computers might be capable of break current cryptographic methods in the 2030s—methods used today to secure sensitive personal data, critical systems, and trade secrets.
However, this is not just a future threat. There are indications that various actors—possibly state-sponsored or criminal—are already storing encrypted data, intending to decrypt it later by leveraging new methods enabled with quantum computers. The project will produce quantum-safe solutions and methods to mitigate this risk.
Evolving Global Legislation
At the same time, legislation in various countries is evolving rapidly:
- U.S. authorities require federal systems to transition to quantum-safe algorithms by 2030.
- The United Kingdom has announced it will ban vulnerable legacy cryptographic methods by 2035.
Xiphera’s Role: Hardware-Based Quantum Security
Xiphera brings its strong expertise in hardware-based cryptography to the project. The company participates in several work packages, two of which are particularly critical for hardware-based encryption:
- Xiphera is researching side-channel protected implementations of quantum-safe algorithms. These protections ensure that quantum-safe ciphers remain secure even against advanced hardware-level attackers.
- Xiphera is also involved in developing a quantum-safe prototype. This prototype will provide essential insights for both industry and society into the implications of implementing quantum-safe algorithms in products and infrastructure.
“It is essential that Finland is at the forefront in developing and deploying quantum-safe solutions. The adoption of quantum-safe algorithms is not just a technical upgrade—it is a cornerstone for the future of our digital society and a vital component of cybersecurity assurance. The BLimPQC project lays the foundation for national security and European sovereignty on many levels,” says Petri Jehkonen, Director of Strategic Programs at Xiphera.
Broad Collaboration for Finland’s Security
Partners in the BLimPQC project include VTT, Aalto University, the University of Helsinki, and the University of Oulu. Corporate partners are Bittium, SSH, Xiphera, Jutel, Icareus, and Ericsson. The steering group includes Traficom, the Digital and Population Data Services Agency, and the Finnish Defence Forces.
Further Details About the Research Project:
Beyond the Limits of Post-Quantum Cryptography is a project that aims to solve cybersecurity challenges posed by quantum computers to ensure quantum-safe Finland. The project is funded by Business Finland and is part of Bittium’s Seamless and Secure Connectivity Ecosystem project in Business Finland’s Veturi-program. The project brings together members of the industry, academic research organisations, and key stakeholders from the government. This results in a beneficial cooperation within the project between all the participants. In addition to the national consortium, the project partners will work with leading international partners in their research endeavours. For more information: https://www.pqc.fi/.
