Toward postquantum security for embedded cores

Firmware authenticity is a key factor in the proper function and security assurance of a platform built with embedded microcontroller cores. With the need for PQC-secure cryptographic algorithms to continue to assure this authenticity, Intel is investigating possibilities currently under consideration in various standardization processes. Our priority in this selection is and will always be security. Regarding performance, we are specifically focusing on the capabilities of platforms' embedded cores to execute PQC algorithms and looking for algorithms that have parameters allowing flexibility in fitting their execution to the capabilities of both current and planned embedded cores.