FOCAL

FOCAL aims to develop a unified framework for the practical end-to-end functional composition of post-quantum cryptosystems in networked edge environments. The project adopts a cross-layer approach that connects device, software, networking, and communication requirements, enabling the programmable integration of PQC from cloud/data center infrastructures to edge deployments.

FOCAL will exploit hardware reconfigurability for crypto-agility, edge communication-channel properties, SDN instrumentation and orchestration, hardware-accelerated PQC key generation, encapsulation and storage, distributed TEEs, and ML-driven estimation of application interoperability requirements. The project also links its technical developments with PQC transition metrics and contributions to standards and policy, in line with EU directions on PQC.

CERTH-ITI participates as a project partner with a central technical role. CERTH leads WP4, “Large-scale Proofs of Concept”, which focuses on the integration of FOCAL subsystems, the definition of pilot-application specifications and evaluation protocols, the implementation of use cases and pilots, and the testing, evaluation, and validation of the developed technologies. CERTH also leads the proof of concept for next-generation networks and contributes to interoperability and communication schemes for PQC in WP2 and WP3. Its expertise covers 5G/6G networking security, physical-layer security, RIS communications, physical key generation, AI-enabled cybersecurity, PQC, and accelerated AI algorithms.

Consortium

University of Cyprus, Cyprus
Ethniko Kentro Erevnas kai Technologikis Anaptyxis, Greece
Cyberecocul Global Services Ltd, Cyprus
Cyprus Organisation for Standardisation, Cyprus
Ellas Sat Anonymh Etaireia Ypiresies Doryforikon Systimaton kai Epikoinonion, Greece
Interuniversitair Micro-Electronica Centrum, Belgium
KPMG Limited, Cyprus
Mellanox Technologies Ltd – MLNX, Israel
NXP Semiconductors Germany GmbH, Germany
SEMI Europe GmbH, Germany
Spinedge Ltd, Israel
Valeo Comfort and Driving Assistance, France
Valeo Telematik und Akustik GmbH, Germany
Universitaet zu Luebeck, Germany
CSEM Centre Suisse d’Electronique et de Microtechnique SA – Recherche et Developpement, Switzerland (Associated Partner)