Giesecke+Devrient (G+D) has joined the European research and innovation project CIRES, launched under the Chips Joint Undertaking (Chips JU) of Horizon Europe. The 36-month project brings together 17 partners from five European countries to develop technologies that enhance the resilience and sovereignty of critical infrastructure, particularly in the energy and digital sectors. G+D will develop eSIM and iSIM technologies with post-quantum cryptography and crypto-agile security mechanisms.
The CIRES project aims to create a comprehensive technological stack for resilient edge computing. The systems developed must be able to continue operating locally in the event of a cyberattack, power outage, communication disruption, or supply chain issue. The consortium is working on embedded artificial intelligence for local decision-making, secure communication over different networks, resilient synchronization, and distributed architectures from edge to cloud.
G+D's focus in the project is on developing a resilient eSIM/iSIM operating system that can evolve with new cryptographic standards. The solutions aim to maintain secure connectivity and authentication even when central networks are disrupted or attacked. The technologies will be tested through several real-world demonstrators, including drone-based infrastructure inspection, smart cities and buildings, digital twins for supply chains, resilient energy systems, and digital infrastructure monitoring.
The integration of post-quantum cryptography in eSIM and iSIM technologies is expected to anticipate the evolution of quantum computing-related threats while strengthening European technological sovereignty. The project is funded by the Chips Joint Undertaking under Horizon Europe, with co-funding from the European Union and the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology, and Space.
The CIRES project seeks to reduce Europe's technological dependencies by utilizing European hardware and software components. G+D's involvement in the project is part of its efforts to provide secure and resilient technologies for critical infrastructure. The project's outcomes are expected to have significant implications for the security and reliability of various sectors.
The project's focus on edge computing and post-quantum cryptography reflects the growing importance of securing critical infrastructure against emerging threats. By developing and testing new technologies, the CIRES project aims to provide practical solutions for industries and governments.
The successful implementation of the CIRES project's objectives could lead to widespread adoption of secure and resilient technologies in various sectors, ultimately enhancing the security and reliability of critical infrastructure across Europe.
Key points
- G+D develops post-quantum cryptography for eSIM and iSIM technologies
- CIRES project aims to enhance resilience and sovereignty of critical infrastructure
- Project seeks to reduce Europe's technological dependencies
