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International projects source: SICRIS
Research activity

Code Science Field Subfield
2.07.00  Engineering sciences and technologies  Computer science and informatics   
5.05.00  Social sciences  Law   

Code Science Field
T120  Technological sciences  Systems engineering, computer technology 
S110  Social sciences  Juridical sciences 
Keywords
standards, quantum technologies, computing and communication, cybersecurity, privacy, post-quantum cryptography, electronic machine-readable travel documents
Organisations (1) , Researchers (4)
1608  Institute for Comparative Law Studies, Faculty of Law, University of Ljubljana
no. Code Name and surname Research area Role Period No. of publicationsNo. of publications
1.  29373  PhD Samo Bardutzky  Social sciences  Head  2025  210 
2.  25611  PhD Matija Damjan  Social sciences  Researcher  2025  330 
3.  09694  ANDREJ GREBENC  Energy engineering  Researcher  2025  26 
4.  57076  Tjaša Kalin  Social sciences  Young researcher  2025  19 
Abstract
Quantum computing is “ante portas”. Research in the field of quantum computers is very active and many countries and private companies are investing millions. IBM Quantum announced a 433-qubit processor on November 9th, 2022 and they anticipate devices with more than 4000 qubits to be available by the year 2025. Meanwhile, research activities also demonstrate that less and less qubits are needed to break classical asymmetric cryptography. The European digital security industry – represented by Eurosmart – on the other hand also highlights the importance to start transitioning towards quantum-resistant (QR) infrastructure as of today. In the particular case of electronic machine-readable travel documents (eMRTDs), Eurosmart has thoroughly analysed all the security risks stemming from the advent of quantum computers, and all the challenges that should be solved to entirely transition to a QR infrastructure: (1) redesigning privacy oriented cryptographic protocols, (2) designing PKIs based on QR cryptography, (3) updating the standards which are instrumental to reach international interoperability, (4) deploying the new infrastructure (electronic passport, PKI,…), and (5) waiting for the renewal of the former generation of electronic passports on the field only supporting classical cryptography (the typical lifetime of an electronic passport is ten years). This analysis shows that the transition towards QR infrastructure for electronic passports will take time. Therefore, the security of electronic passports is particularly at risk. Thus, clear measures shall be taken as of now. The vision of the PQC4eMRTD project is to join forces with world leading European players in the field of security, as well as PQC experts from academia to push previous PQC research results towards the international standardization working groups in order to unlock the implementation of QR protocols, mainly in the fields of digital identities and eMRTDs.
Significance for science
This proposal has been specifically designed to support the EU border security policy and the data protection of citizens in Europe. The goal is to enhance the EU´s ability to protect its citizens with the focus on improving the security of travel documents as well as of electronic ID documents and border control services at the Schengen border. This borderline has approximately 50.000 km. About 7.700 km are green border (land-border) and the major part is blue border (sea-border). The proposal addresses the possible actions to create travel and border eco systems for the time that quantum computers are available and can be used for cyberattacks. More specifically, the following challenges will be addressed with this proposal: • Maintaining the EU Schengen border standards and technologies. Standards and technologies must be updated for the time when the quantum computer is available. Travel documents of the 4th generation are indicated for this decade. • Fostering harmonized migration of electronic ID documents in the public sector, with a focus on travel documents, such as passport, national eID-cards and residence permit cards for 3rd-country nationals. • Addressing the evolution of the European Schengen border. • Develop relevant inputs for international standards and for European regulation. • Develop relevant migration paths for standardisation, development, testing and implementation of the next-generation travel documents and border control equipment.
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