Public Funding for Crypta Labs Limited

Data is one of the world's most valuable commodities -- affecting every person, every company, every government, everywhere. Most of the world's cybersecurity infrastructure is based on the exchange and use of digital cryptographic keys. Random number generators (RNGs) are essential components of this existing infrastructure, and newer technologies such as quantum key distribution. Quantum random number generators (QRNGs) are devices that utilise the inherent randomness in natural physical processes to create random numbers, assured unique to each device if the process is truly quantum, and are one of the first practical implementations of quantum technologies. A key differentiator of quantum RNGs over other conventional pseudo RNGs, crucial for all security applications, is that identically manufactured and prepared pseudo RNGs are certain to produce the same random sequences, while QRNGs are not. A method for providing authoritative assessment of the unique randomness produced by QRNGs does not currently exist. This project will address that need, thereby overcoming this important technological barrier to their commercial and industrial exploitation, and maximising UK return from quantum technology research in this field. Current tests for random number generators (RNGs), based on numerical analysis of their outputs, give information about the statistical properties of the output randomness but cannot assure that the output is unknown to others. Stronger assessment is possible for QRNGs, since in addition to numerical analysis to assure randomness, the physical process used to create the output can be modelled and physically tested. Assessing the "quantumness" of the process also assesses the privacy of the output. This project will take QRNGs that are either already on the market or near-market prototypes and implement this assessment approach. It will thereby provide the expertise and capability for creating a UK assessment process for QRNGs.

Awaiting Public Project Summary

Random numbers are a critical component of encryption/cybersecurity which currently relies heavily on Pseudo Random Number Generators (PRNG). These algorithms are deterministic & vulnerable to hacking. Increasing interconnectivity of our devices (IoT) is now leading to an accelerating rise in frequency and impact of both hacking & cybercrime. Both trends illustrate the critical importance of proper security for devices and communications. An effective way to address the problem is to use Quantum Random Number Generators (QRNG). The inherent entropy at the core of quantum mechanics makes quantum systems a perfect source of randomness. However, existing QRNG technologies are large, expensive and only optimal in static environments, e.g. server farms. TeskaLabs and Crypta Labs are co-developing QRNG products which can provide miniaturised, end-to-end encryption without reduction in device speed/encryption rates. Example use cases for our technology include critical infrastructure, healthcare, military communications, transport and logistics. There is an urgent need for encryption for the newly expanding Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS) mandated by the European Commission as part of a multi-billion-euro infrastructure programme. C-ITS will define security standards to allow road users and traffic managers to share information and use it to coordinate their actions. Exchanging data between different actors in the transport system means supply and demand can be matched in real time, leading to a more efficient use of resources, be it a shared car, a container or a rail network. Digital technologies help reduce human error, by far the greatest source of accidents in transport. They can also create a truly multimodal transport system integrating all modes of transport into one mobility service, allowing people and cargo to travel smoothly from door to door. And they can spur social innovation and ensure mobility for all, with the emergence of new players and new forms of value creation such as the collaborative economy. Communication between vehicles, infrastructure and other road users is also crucial to increase the safety of future automated vehicles and their full integration in the overall transport system. Road safety and traffic efficiency could vastly improve -- enabled by highly secure and robust digital connectivity between vehicles and between vehicles and transport infrastructure. This project will conduct a regional and industrial feasibility study on a QRNG-based encryption platform to evaluate the market opportunity for the technology within C-ITS, together with prospective routes to market and potential industrial partners for propelling the chip & software towards commercialisation.

Miniaturised Quantum Hardware Security Module for IoT Encryption

The security of confidential information relies upon strong encryption processes. The weakest link in existing encryption systems is their reliance on numbers which aren’t truly random, which makes them vulnerable to hacking. Crypta Labs has developed a quantum random number generator (QRNG), which is based on randomness derived from light. A photon is an elementary particle of light (a “quantum”) which acts in a totally random way. The behaviour of photons can be used to derive a true random number to underpin encryption. It has been widely documented that modern, highly connected, vehicles can be hijacked with just a laptop computer and publicly available software. This feasibility project aims to assesses the technical and commercial feasibility of applying Crypta Lab’s QRNG technology to connected and autonomous vehicles, allowing Crypta Labs to start commercialising its technology post completion of this project.

Random numbers are a critical component of encryption / cybersecurity & currently rely heavily on Pseudo Random Number Generators (PRNG). These algorithms are deterministic & vulnerable to hacking. In particular, an eavesdropper obtaining the initialisation settings can predict all possible outcomes, thus compromising the entire encryption. We are currently in the middle of two key global, interconnected trends, increasing interconnectivity of our devices (IOT) & accelerating rise in frequency & impact of cybercrime. Both trends illustrate the critical importance of proper security for devices & communications. An effective way to address the problem is to use Quantum Random Number Generators (QRNG). The inherent entropy at the core of quantum mechanics makes quantum systems a perfect source of randomness. However, existing QRNG technologies are large, expensive and only useable in static environments e.g. server farms. Whilst strong protection for 'the hub' is crucial, these solutions are not suitable for 'the spokes'. Crypta Labs is developing QRNG products which can provide miniaturised, end-to-end encryption without reduction in device speed / encryption rates, another key parameter for QRNGs as the amount of data being generated & transmitted is increasing exponentially.". Funded by DSTL & Innovate UK, Crypta Labs has already developed a working QRNG prototype. Example use cases include finance, healthcare, military communications, transportation & critical. This project will assess the market for QRNGs providing input to R&D, market strategy and fund raising.

Data encryption relies on random numbers to encrypt/decrypt confidential communication. Most encryption processes are currently underpinned by pseudorandom numbers, which are vulnerable to hacking. Using the random properties of light (quantum), Crypta Labs is developing a random number generator for use on mobile devices, to provide an unhackable random number to encryption processes. This project is focused on the development of an Application Programming Interface (API), Software Development Kit (SDK) and integrated encryption processes to enable mobile phone applications (such as banking and health-related) to secure transactions with unhackable encryption. It involves proving that existing mobile phone hardware can be used to generate random numbers, determining the optimised working parameters of that hardware, and development of the API, SDK and encryption processes ready for use by the phone's apps.

Crypta Labs is a quantum cyber security company that is developing a Quantum Biometric to provide 'up to military grade' levels of security for the biometric, mobile payment and authentication industry.Our unique Quantum Random Number Generator (QRNG) on a mobile phone has multiple purposes including Quantum Biometric and Quantum EncryptionOur team passionately believe that top level security should be available to all and that our unique security solution will, one day, save lives