Quantum computing is rapidly shifting from theoretical to operational, introducing a fundamental threat to today’s cryptographic foundations. The “harvest now, decrypt later” risk is already active: data encrypted with classical algorithms today may be exposed tomorrow.
To maintain long-term confidentiality and trust, organizations must act now to adopt quantum-resistant cryptographic systems. This includes rethinking both encryption and authentication mechanisms to ensure resilience against quantum-scale attacks.
In an interview with Marc Bertin, CTO, IDEMIA Secure Transactions, we explored what organizations across industries must do now to protect their most critical assets against the next generation of quantum-enabled threats.
Read the full interview here:
TimesTech: What challenge does quantum computing pose to current cryptographic standards, and how is the industry responding?
Marc: Quantum computing poses a significant threat to current cryptographic standards because it has the potential to break some traditional encryption methods, putting sensitive data across sectors at risk. This could render some widely used cryptographic algorithms obsolete and expose critical information to malicious actors. In response, industry and university researchers, guided by bodies like the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), has designed the first post-quantum cryptography (PQC) standards. These standards aim to help governments, enterprises, and technology providers transition to quantum-resistant cryptographic solutions, ensuring data remains secure despite the progression of quantum computing capabilities.
TimesTech: What makes the IDEMIA Sphere Cryptographic Library a comprehensive and future-ready solution for securing digital services against emerging quantum threats?
Marc: The IDEMIA Sphere Cryptographic Library provides a complete and certified foundation for building the next generation of secure services in our digital modern world. Designed to meet the needs of a rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape, the IDEMIA Sphere Cryptographic Library offers classical and post-quantum algorithms which allow the implementation of hybrid protocols based on an easily integrable library. Certified by the NIST Cryptographic Algorithm Validation Program (CAVP), the digital library supports all standardized cryptographic algorithms. The IDEMIA Sphere Cryptographic Library also offers algorithms for embedded and WhiteBox solutions.
The library’s modular architecture enables seamless integration into both off-the-shelf and customized solutions, while clients benefit from IST’s expert support and consulting services for smooth deployment and long-term maintenance. An end-to-end solution, the IDEMIA Sphere Cryptographic Library enables clients to safeguard their data and digital services against future quantum threats without disrupting operations or user experience.
TimesTech: How does the IDEMIA Sphere Cryptographic Library benefit organizations?
Marc: For businesses, IST’s solutions offer a comprehensive pathway to embracing quantum-resilient security while maintaining operational efficiency and market agility. Ready-to-use certified modules accelerate development cycles, allowing companies to integrate advanced cryptographic capabilities without lengthy in-house R&D, while IST’s expert support during integration, deployment, and ongoing maintenance significantly reduces the risks typically associated with large-scale cryptographic migrations. This stepwise and guided approach ensures a smoother transition to hybrid and post-quantum environments, safeguarding critical business processes and customer trust. Moreover, by enabling organizations to rapidly launch quantum-resilient solutions, IDEMIA Secure Transactions helps them seize emerging opportunities in the digital economy, strengthen their reputation as leaders in data protection, and meet growing market demand for secure, reliable, and future-proof digital services.
TimesTech: What advantages does it provide to consumers and citizens?
Marc: End users gain stronger protection for mission-critical data—financial records, health information, and identity credentials—against future quantum attacks, with no change to how their apps or services feel today. Because the transition is handled at the cryptographic layer, experiences remain seamless and familiar, while security quietly steps up in the background. As service providers move to hybrid solutions, consumers benefit from a future-proof trust model: their data is safeguarded now and remains resistant to decryption attempts as quantum capabilities mature. This helps reinforce confidence in digital services at a time when privacy and resilience are under heightened scrutiny. Continuous, seamless digital experiences, with no perceptible change but a guarantee of higher security against quantum threats.
TimesTech: What makes the IDEMIA Sphere Cryptographic Library stand out in addressing both current and future cryptographic needs?
Marc: The IDEMIA Sphere Cryptographic Library stands out because it bridges the gap between today’s classical cryptography and tomorrow’s post-quantum requirements. It offers a comprehensive suite of algorithms, from established standards like RSA, ECC, AES, and SHA to advanced post-quantum options such as ML-DSA, SLH-DSA, LMS for signatures, and ML-KEM for key agreements.
What truly makes us stand out is our decades of cryptographic expertise, ongoing investments in research and development, and the fact that our technologies are tried and tested on billions of credentials worldwide. This proven foundation gives customers unmatched trust and reliability.
Its modular design allows organizations to select the version best suited to their environment—whether a high-performance digital application or a constrained embedded system—without compromising security. The library is continuously updated to incorporate upcoming post-quantum standards like FN-DSA and HQC, ensuring long-term resilience. This forward-looking agility, combined with expert security monitoring, means businesses can deploy with confidence today while staying ready for the challenges of tomorrow.
TimesTech: How does IDEMIA ensure the robustness and trustworthiness of its cryptographic solutions?
Marc: Our cryptographic offerings are built on decades of expertise and are reinforced with globally recognized certifications, ensuring that customers can rely on a proven, trusted foundation. The library includes NIST CAVP-certified algorithms, is integrated into more than 100 Common Criteria-certified embedded products, and is also part of FIPS 140-3 certified solutions—benchmark validations of security and reliability. Beyond certifications, IDEMIA Secure Transactions strengthens its offering with strategic consulting, helping organizations assess their vulnerabilities in the face of quantum threats, plan their migration paths, and seamlessly integrate the library into existing platforms. With continuous security monitoring and a roadmap aligned to evolving standards, IDEMIA Secure Transactions doesn’t just provide cryptography—it provides peace of mind and a strategic edge for building resilient, future-ready infrastructure.
TimesTech: How does this launch position IDEMIA Secure Transactions in the cybersecurity landscape?
Marc: The launch marks a strategic evolution for IDEMIA Secure Transactions, from a provider of secure solutions to a full-spectrum security provider. Building on a legacy of over 1.4 billion physical credentials issued annually and hundreds of security certifications, IST is now delivering a comprehensive post-quantum cryptography offering. This includes certified libraries with embedded and WhiteBox options, and full lifecycle support. More than standalone components, our algorithms are designed to be integrated directly into our clients’ solutions, strengthening the security of their systems and enabling a seamless transition to quantum-resilient infrastructure.
