Ukraine has become a participant in a major European research project aimed at developing encryption systems resistant to future quantum computer attacks, bringing its cybersecurity expertise to an 11-nation consortium working on next-generation digital protections. The National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre at Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council is now involved in the Quantum-Resistant Cryptography in Practice (QARC) initiative under the Horizon Europe programme, focusing on practical solutions for securing digital systems against the anticipated threat posed by quantum computing.
International collaboration on post-quantum protocols
The QARC project brings together specialists from universities, national cybersecurity agencies and private companies across Europe to develop and implement post-quantum cryptographic protocols. The collaborative effort is working on securing fundamental systems including Kerberos authentication, Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and Transport Layer Security (TLS) to establish unified security standards. This international cooperation aims to create a robust framework for protecting government and private digital infrastructures, particularly as electronic governance and cloud services expand rapidly across the continent.
Ukrainian expertise enhances project capabilities
Ukrainian participation adds significant practical experience to the consortium, drawing on the country’s extensive background in countering sophisticated cyber operations during both hybrid aggression and full-scale war. The nation’s high level of digitalisation and its specialists’ proven track record in defending critical infrastructure is expected to accelerate the transition from theoretical developments to practical implementation. This contribution provides partner countries with access to advanced Ukrainian digital security developments and practical knowledge of integrating solutions within military and critical infrastructure environments.
Strengthening smaller nations’ digital defences
For participating states including the Czech Republic, Estonia, Ireland, Latvia and Norway, the collaboration helps reduce technological disparities in cybersecurity between larger and smaller nations. The partnership enables access to cutting-edge solutions without requiring massive individual investments, particularly valuable for countries with limited scientific and technical resources. The joint development of secure platforms for cloud data storage and transmission is fundamentally important for economies with high digitalisation levels, enhancing their overall digital resilience and defence capabilities.
Long-term strategic implications for European security
The standards and implementation roadmaps being developed within QARC are expected to form the basis for national legislative initiatives on data protection, strengthening digital sovereignty across Europe. The project strengthens the European Union’s position as a global centre for digital security while preparing critical infrastructure and government data systems for the eventual widespread deployment of quantum computers. This cooperation deepens scientific and technical ties between European states and Ukrainian experts, facilitating knowledge exchange and best practices in post-quantum technologies that will shape future international security requirements.
