Fragmented Infrastructure: The Barrier to PQC Adoption in Legacy Industries (Finance and Health)

Introduction

The widespread adoption of Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) is a pressing concern for many industries, particularly those with a long history of cryptographic implementations, such as finance and healthcare. However, a significant hurdle to PQC migration in these sectors is the fragmented nature of their cryptographic infrastructure. In this post, we'll delve into the challenges posed by fragmented infrastructure and explore the implications for PQC adoption.

The State of Cryptographic Infrastructure

Large, legacy sectors like finance, telecommunications, and healthcare often rely on a complex network of cryptographic systems, comprising dozens of independent key stores, multiple Hardware Security Module (HSM) platforms, and various Cloud Key Management Services (KMS). This decentralized architecture creates a maze of cryptographic dependencies, making it challenging to identify and replace vulnerable components uniformly across the enterprise.

Key Store Fragmentation

In a typical financial institution, for instance, key stores may be scattered across multiple systems, including:

  • Legacy applications using proprietary key stores
  • Cloud-based services relying on KMS providers
  • On-premises HSMs used for encryption and decryption

Each of these key stores may employ different cryptographic algorithms, such as RSA, ECDSA, or Ed25519, and may have varying key sizes, expiration policies, and revocation procedures. This fragmentation creates a significant challenge when attempting to identify and replace vulnerable cryptographic components with PQC alternatives.

HSM Platform Heterogeneity

HSMs, which provide secure storage and processing for cryptographic keys and operations, are another source of fragmentation. Different HSM platforms, such as Thales, Gemalto, or SafeNet, may have incompatible interfaces, require unique software installations, and employ distinct cryptographic algorithms. This heterogeneity makes it difficult to develop a unified PQC migration strategy that can seamlessly integrate with existing HSM infrastructure.

Cloud KMS Complexity

Cloud-based KMS providers, such as AWS Key Management Service (KMS) or Google Cloud Key Management Service (KMS), offer centralized key management capabilities. However, these services often require complex integration with existing systems, which may involve custom API development, cryptographic protocol adaptations, and key management policy adjustments. This complexity can hinder PQC adoption, especially in industries with limited resources and expertise.

The Impact on PQC Adoption

The fragmented nature of cryptographic infrastructure in finance and healthcare has significant implications for PQC adoption. Without a unified approach to cryptographic management, it becomes challenging to:

  • Identify and replace vulnerable cryptographic components with PQC alternatives
  • Develop and deploy PQC-based solutions that integrate seamlessly with existing infrastructure
  • Ensure consistent cryptographic policies and key management procedures across the enterprise

Security Implications

The lack of centralized cryptographic inventory and consistent policy creates an enormous barrier to PQC migration, making it nearly impossible to identify and replace every vulnerable component uniformly across the enterprise. This fragmentation also increases the risk of:

  • Cryptographic key compromise and unauthorized access
  • Data breaches and sensitive information exposure
  • Compliance issues and regulatory non-conformity

Best Practices for PQC Adoption

To overcome the challenges posed by fragmented infrastructure, industries must adopt a unified approach to cryptographic management. This can be achieved by:

  • Conducting a comprehensive cryptographic inventory and risk assessment
  • Developing a centralized cryptography policy and key management framework
  • Implementing a phased PQC migration strategy that prioritizes high-risk components
  • Collaborating with vendors and industry partners to develop PQC-compatible solutions

Conclusion

The adoption of PQC in legacy industries like finance and healthcare is a complex and challenging task, largely due to the fragmented nature of their cryptographic infrastructure. By understanding the challenges posed by key store fragmentation, HSM platform heterogeneity, and cloud KMS complexity, we can develop effective strategies for PQC adoption. By prioritizing unified cryptographic management and phased migration approaches, industries can mitigate the risks associated with fragmented infrastructure and ensure the secure adoption of PQC.