KT Applies Next-Generation Security Technology, Post-Quantum Cryptography, to Defense Systems

Participation in the “Post-Quantum Cryptography Pilot Support Project”
Lifecycle Cryptography Technology to Be Applied to Key Infrastructure

KT announced on May 19 that it will apply post-quantum cryptography (PQC) to key defense systems through the “2026 Post-Quantum Cryptography Pilot Support Project,” overseen by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA).

KT logo. Provided by KT

This project aims to address security threats arising from advances in quantum computing technology. Its goal is to supplement the structural limitations of existing public key cryptography systems and to apply and verify cryptographic technologies that are secure even against future quantum attacks within the nation’s core infrastructure.

Post-quantum cryptography is a next-generation encryption technology designed based on mathematically hard problems—such as lattice-based problems and multivariate polynomial problems—that are known to be extremely difficult to solve even with quantum computers. As concerns grow that existing cryptographic systems could be rendered ineffective by quantum computers, governments and the telecommunications industry around the world are accelerating the transition to post-quantum cryptography.

KT has formed a consortium with Daesung S-Tech and ESE to carry out a PQC proof-of-concept project for the Ministry of National Defense and the Army Information and Communications School. In this project, PQC modules will be applied to major infrastructure segments, including the smart military base platform (edge)–user PCs; closed-circuit (CC)TV–video storage systems (NVR); drone–ground control systems (GCS); and 5G router–core networks. The project will also verify the performance and applicability of PQC in actual battlefield environments.

In particular, the smart military base platform, which integrates equipment from different manufacturers and features a multilayered network structure, is an area where PQC transition testing is essential. KT plans to apply and verify PQC throughout the entire defense data lifecycle using an end-to-end approach.

Based on the verification results and operational experience gained from this project, KT intends to expand the application of PQC beyond the defense sector to public and private domains. The company will also continue developing next-generation security service models that meet global security standards.

Jeon Myeongjun, Senior Vice President and Head of KT’s Enterprise Service Division, stated, “Post-quantum cryptography is a core technology for national cyber security in the upcoming quantum computing era. By carrying out pilot projects in the defense sector, we will enhance the reliability of Korea’s communications and security technologies and take the lead in building a safe artificial intelligence (AI) transformation (AX) environment.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.