Monthly Archives: December 2024

Pioneering Post-Quantum Security: Three Decades of Technology Innovation

Since founding 01 Communique in 1992, we’ve maintained an unwavering commitment to technological innovation. Today, we’re leading the charge in protecting the world against quantum computing threats. This evolution reflects our consistent focus on identifying and solving tomorrow’s technological challenges.

The recent advancements in quantum computing, particularly Google Quantum AI’s Willow quantum chip, have validated our long-held belief that quantum threats to current encryption methods are real and imminent. While others are just beginning to grapple with these challenges, we’ve already developed and implemented solutions that are ready for deployment.

Our journey into post-quantum cryptography (PQC) has yielded significant results. Our patent-protected technologies aren’t just theoretical – they’re practical solutions already integrated into real-world applications.  We use the PQC algorithms which have been endorsed by the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) as their latest FIPS-203, FIPS-204, and FIPS-205 standards, confirming their robustness and reliability.

Perhaps our most exciting breakthrough is in the cryptocurrency space. Since 2022, we’ve recognized that digital currencies would be particularly vulnerable to quantum computing attacks. This foresight led us to develop a groundbreaking solution with a partner: a PQC-compliant Solana (SOL) L1 blockchain. This innovation, protected by US Patent #11,669,833, isn’t just another blockchain – it’s a transformation tool that can convert any existing cryptocurrency into a quantum-safe asset.

But our innovations don’t stop at blockchain. Our IronCAP™ cryptographic engine is designed for businesses of all sizes, making quantum-safe security accessible to everyone. We’re particularly proud of IronCAP X™, the world’s first quantum-safe end-to-end email encryption solution. In a world where phishing and email fraud are rampant, this technology ensures both privacy and sender authenticity.

Looking at our history, it’s clear that adaptation and innovation are in our DNA. From our early days trading on the Canadian Dealing Network to our current position on the TSX Venture Exchange and US OTC PINK market, we’ve consistently evolved to meet new challenges. Under the leadership of our founder and CEO Andrew Cheung, we’ve built a portfolio of seven patents and multiple pending applications, all focused on securing the future of digital communication.

As we move forward, our vision extends beyond current applications. We’re actively developing quantum-safe solutions for AI Machine Learning and true end-to-end messaging platforms. Our goal is clear: to ensure that as the world becomes increasingly interconnected and remote, our technologies provide the security foundation necessary for safe, reliable digital interactions.

The quantum computing threat isn’t a distant possibility – it’s an approaching reality. But at 01 Communique, we see this not as a challenge to fear, but as an opportunity to innovate. Our suite of “Zero-Trust” secure remote access services and products, combined with our quantum-safe cryptographic solutions, offers comprehensive protection for the post-quantum era.

Through three decades of innovation, our journey reflects our commitment to anticipating and addressing technological challenges before they become crises. As quantum computing continues to advance, we remain dedicated to our mission: providing innovative, accessible, and effective security solutions for the quantum age.

The future of cybersecurity is quantum-safe, and we’re proud to be leading the way in making that future a reality. With our proven track record of innovation and our continued investment in cutting-edge solutions, we’re not just preparing for the quantum future – we’re actively shaping it.

01 Communique Positions Itself at the Forefront of Blockchain Security

At 01 Communique, we’ve always believed in staying ahead of technological threats. Today, as quantum computing advances at an unprecedented pace with breakthroughs like Google Quantum AI’s Willow quantum chip, we’re proud to be leading the charge in developing robust post-quantum cryptography (PQC) solutions that protect blockchain and cryptocurrency security.

Since our founding in 1992, we’ve maintained our position at the forefront of technological innovation. While many are just beginning to recognize the potential threats that quantum computing poses to traditional encryption methods, we’ve spent years and significant resources developing PQC-compliant products that address these challenges head-on.

Our commitment to quantum-safe security isn’t just talk – it’s backed by concrete achievements and recognition. Our technologies incorporate PQC algorithms that have received endorsement from the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) as their latest FIPS-203, FIPS-204, and FIPS-205 standards. This validation confirms what we’ve known all along: the quantum threat is real, and preparation is crucial.

We’re particularly excited about our breakthrough in blockchain security. We’ve successfully developed a PQC-compliant Solana (SOL) L1 blockchain, with commercialization on the horizon for 2025. This innovation is protected by our US Patent #11,669,833, which covers groundbreaking technology capable of converting existing cryptocurrencies into PQC-compliant assets. As cryptocurrencies gain wider acceptance, we’re ready to provide the security solutions needed to protect these assets against quantum threats.

Our quantum-safe security solutions extend well beyond blockchain. Our flagship IronCAP™ cryptographic engine enables businesses of all sizes to protect their systems against potential quantum computer attacks while maintaining compatibility with current classical computer systems. We’re also proud of IronCAP X™, the world’s first quantum-safe end-to-end email encryption system, designed to ensure ultimate email privacy and prevent phishing through robust sender authentication.

Looking to the future, we’re expanding our quantum-safe security solutions into new frontiers, including AI Machine Learning and true end-to-end messaging platforms. Our extensive patent portfolio, protected across various countries, demonstrates our ongoing commitment to innovation and security.

We’ve come a long way from our early days as a fax and communication software provider. Today, we stand ready to address one of the most significant technological challenges of our time: the quantum threat to cybersecurity. Our early recognition of this threat and our proactive response have positioned us uniquely in the market.

As quantum computing continues to evolve, our mission remains clear: to provide cutting-edge, quantum-safe security solutions that protect our clients’ assets and communications. Whether it’s through our PQC-compliant blockchain technology, our IronCAP™ cryptographic engine, or our secure communication solutions, we’re committed to ensuring that businesses and individuals are prepared for the quantum computing era.

The future of cybersecurity is quantum-safe, and at 01 Communique, we’re not just preparing for that future – we’re building it. Join us as we continue to innovate and protect against the cybersecurity challenges of tomorrow.

A Gift and a Curse: The Sacrifices Required to Secure Our Future in the Quantum Age

Banner-13The extraordinary computational power of quantum computers makes them a double-edged sword. While they have the ability to optimize communication, medicine research, and artificial intelligence, their dark side can completely nullify all encrypted data, leading to unethical and disruptive changes in the future.

As a consequence, agencies have started making efforts to update cryptographic inventory and prioritize systems in hopes of migrating towards post-quantum cryptography (PQC) standards. US federal agencies have estimated that the transition to PQC will cost up to 7.1 billion dollars. But this is only an estimate. The price will most likely increase as quantum computers are developed and become more sophisticated.

This migration necessitates the identification and replacement of numerous systems that are incompatible with PQC algorithms, especially the older devices with embedded cryptographic algorithms. Cryptographic networks are interconnected. So if one system fails in its migration, others will be unable to migrate either.

To expedite this transition, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has standardized 3 strong PQC algorithms: FIPS 203, FIPS 204, and FIPS 205. These algorithms present businesses with three robust PQC solutions.

FIPS 203 and FIPS 204 utilize a lattice-based algorithm, where the lowest common multiple amongst several numbers is represented as a vector within a lattice. This structure is versatile and efficient, capable of executing both general encryption and digital signature algorithms.

On the contrary, FIPS 205 employs a hash-based algorithm that specializes in digital signature and verification. While it is not as flexible as the lattice-based algorithm, it has been “time-tested” for significantly longer (close to 50 years). The fact that no proven theory can crack its encryption is indicative of its strength.

As we embark on a new chapter in the course of our history, we must realize our responsibility in dictating our fate during this quantum shift. By proactively mitigating the potential harm posed by quantum computers, we can harness the fortes and revolutionary discoveries that this technological phenomenon elicits.

To achieve this goal, we must prepare to sacrifice money, time, and effort in order to integrate PQC standards into our everyday lives. By refusing to act, we leave our digital world vulnerable to quantum threats that could completely rupture our digital infrastructure, causing irreversible damage that no amount of money or time can repair.

Awareness to Action: Proactively Maintaining Resilience in a Quantum World

Banner-13After 8 years of intense efforts, in response to the increasingly apparent dangers of post-quantum cybersecurity threat, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has finally standardized three post-quantum cryptography algorithms on August 13th, 2024: FIPS 203, FIPS 204, and FIPS 205. These algorithms relying on lattice and hash function-based cryptography are designed to withstand the power of quantum computers. NIST strongly advises businesses to act NOW – to adapt to quantum-safe solutions so as to protect their data against quantum threats.

While industries in the finance and telecom sectors are making extensive plans to adapt to these changes, many vulnerable businesses have made little to no preparation.  Some aren’t even aware of the gravity of the situation. Without a defined deadline attached to the quantum threat, businesses are not under any obligation to make changes right away. This is a dangerous oversight because the method of “harvest now, decrypt later” can bring disasters to businesses once the bad guys with access to quantum computers target on them. Quantum threats can strike at any moment and cause irreversible consequences.  All businesses should take action NOW.

To prepare for the post-quantum world of cybersecurity, companies should launch pilot projects that incorporate post-quantum algorithms into their existing infrastructures. This will enable companies to explore the benefits of post-quantum cryptography and migrate to the post-quantum world in time.

IronCAP™ offers all the NIST-approved algorithms via its versatile software and hardware interfaces to safeguard digital assets and communications. IronCAP™ is compatible with industry standards such as PKCS#11 through its ICCHSM solution, serving as a seamless intermediator between applications and the IronCAP™ cryptography.

Furthermore, IronCAP™ offers a public key cipher that can be added into Libgcrypt, enabling backward compatibility with other key ciphers such as RSA, and ECC, promoting smooth migrations of post-quantum technologies, Similarly, our IronCAP™ technology can also be accessed via the OpenPGP hardware security module (HSM) compliant with the IronCAP™ cryptography.

As we proceed into a new chapter of this digital era filled with uncertainty, a universal call to enact post-quantum cryptography must occur to maintain the stability and continuity of our civilization. Although NIST standardization will help spread awareness, industries must comply. Proactive measures such as launching pilot projects and implementing our quantum-safe IronCAP™ technology will nullify the quantum threats and create a safe digital landscape.