Cyberstorm's Post-Quantum Cryptography Journey
IETF 115: Me(Jeevesh R. Dindyal on the left) and Keelan Cannoo( on the right)
Introduction
The project of introducing post-quantum cryptography in networking software began in September 2022, when [Loganaden Velvindron](https://mu.linkedin.com/in/loganaden-velvindron-6b596342) introduced the idea to me, [Jeevesh R. Dindyal](https://mu.linkedin.com/in/jeevesh-r-dindyal-8844702ba), and [Keelan Cannoo](https://mu.linkedin.com/in/keelan-cannoo-a9254523b). Logan had several ideas in mind but chose two specific projects for us. I was tasked with implementing DNS with post-quantum cryptography, while Keelan focused on integrating post-quantum cryptography into QUIC and network tools.
Project Proposals and Acceptance
In September 2022, we proposed both projects as our final year projects at the University of Mauritius to Dr. Jeetendranath Seetohul. Both titles were accepted. During IETF 115, I managed to configure the basics to run Unbound with a configuration of DNS-over-TLS, using a modified TLS with post-quantum cryptography provided by [Open Quantum Safe](https://openquantumsafe.org/). Keelan successfully partially converted the NTRUPrime algorithm from C to Golang and committed a Docker environment in Open Quantum Safe for post-quantum TLS with QUIC.
Contributions to Open Quantum Safe
As members of Cyberstorm.mu, Keelan and I were able to present both titles as our final year projects and interact with Open Quantum Safe, contributing to the [liboqs](https://github.com/open-quantum-safe/liboqs/pull/1328) library by providing two [Docker environments](https://github.com/open-quantum-safe/liboqs/pull/1328) for the integration of modified TLS with post-quantum cryptography. Additionally, [Keelan created a pull request with CIRCL cryptography for the converted NTRUPrime](https://github.com/cloudflare/circl/pull/384). I also used the McEliece algorithm, integrating it into a local DNS written in Golang and experimenting with hybrid quantum cryptography using McEliece. However, due to the oversized nature of McEliece, the connection failed.
Continuing the Journey
These two projects marked Cyberstorm's initial steps into the world of post-quantum cryptography. Now, other students from the University of Mauritius, such as Atish Joottun, Poshan Peeroo, and Kevin Yerkiah, have continued on this path. For example, Atish Joottun's [framework for testing Open Quantum Safe for TLS Servers](https://osf.io/preprints/africarxiv/kbn3d) and his [tldr project](https://github.com/JoottunAtish/tldr_project), which is a work in progress, are some of the initiatives inspired by the early efforts of Cyberstorm members.
You may find both papers by Keelan and me below:
link will be provided later.