IDEMIA Secure Transactions Collaborates With KT in Advancing Post-Quantum Security For South Korea’s Defense Communications

Insider Brief

• IDEMIA Secure Transactions is collaborating with KT on a South Korean government-backed pilot to test SIM-based post-quantum cryptography for defense communications.
• IDEMIA is implementing NIST-standardized and Korean algorithms on its Quantum-Resistant SIM platform, with a potential Korean smart-card first subject to final validation.
• KT’s broader pilot will assess post-quantum security across defense systems, including PCs, surveillance equipment, drones and 5G networks.
• Image: Photo by Daniel Bernard on Unsplash

PRESS RELEASE — IDEMIA Secure Transactions (IST), a global leader in payment, connectivity and cybersecurity, is collaborating with KT, a major South Korean mobile network operator, on South Korea’s 2026 Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) Pilot Conversion Project. The project is organized by the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) and the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA).

As part of the initiative, with KT playing a leading role, IST is implementing NIST-standardized and Korean PQC algorithms on the Quantum-Resistant SIM equipped smart-card platform to support the protection of defense communications systems against emerging cryptographic threats.

Bringing post-quantum cryptography to SIM and eSIM deployments

Post-quantum algorithms place significantly higher demands on processing power and memory than many classical cryptographic schemes. IST is addressing these constraints through the PQC dedicated SIM and eSIM, enabling demanding cryptographic operations to be handled efficiently within a secure, tamper-resistant environment.

The implementation is designed to support both international NIST standardized and Korea-specific PQC algorithms. Subject to final validation, the project is expected to deliver the first implementation of KpqC¹ algorithms on a smart-card platform in Korea, demonstrating a practical path to adding quantum-safe and crypto-agility capabilities at the secure-element level while limiting extensive changes at device level.

Supporting quantum-safe defense communications

KT’s broader pilot, conducted for the Ministry of National Defense and the Army Information and Communication School, is designed to apply and verify PQC across critical defense infrastructures, including smart-unit platforms and user PCs, CCTV and video storage systems, drones and ground control systems, and 5G network environments. The aim is to assess performance and applicability in demanding operational conditions.

Within this architecture, the Quantum-Resistant SIM acts as a hardware root of trust for secure communications, generating and protecting sensitive credentials and cryptographic operations. The project demonstrates how secure element technologies, already widely used in telecom environments, can evolve to support future quantum safe requirements. They serve as dedicated cryptographic modules for connected devices, enabling secure key management and cryptographic services for government, defense and other critical infrastructure applications requiring the highest levels of security and resilience.

Building crypto-agility for the quantum era

South Korea is accelerating its transition toward post-quantum security across critical sectors. The path to a quantum secure future requires more than strong cryptography; it requires cryptographic agility, the ability to adapt to evolving algorithms, standards, and regulatory requirements, without redesigning the systems from ground up. By enabling both NIST-standardized and Korean PQC algorithms within the same secure-element environment, IST is showcasing the flexibility needed to changing standards and regional regulatory requirements.

The pilot builds on IST’s broader post-quantum roadmap as part of IDEMIA SPHERE cybersecurity suite, and its expertise in cryptography for secure connectivity and cybersecurity, to deliver a scalable foundation for quantum-resilient security services. It also reinforces the role of SIM and eSIM technologies beyond subscriber authentication, positioning them as trusted platforms for quantum-safe telecom, IoT, government and defense applications.

“At IDEMIA Secure Transactions, we see the transition to post-quantum security as a strategic imperative to safeguard digital trust for the long term. Our collaboration with KT demonstrates how post-quantum readiness can turn this challenge into a practical transformation enabling organizations to evolve securely. By combining trusted infrastructure with deep cryptographic expertise, we are laying the foundations for resilient, scalable security in the quantum era.” — Fabien Jautard, EVP Connectivity Services at IDEMIA Secure Transactions

Key Facts

Crypto-agility is the ability to adapt to evolving cryptographic algorithms, standards and regulatory requirements without redesigning entire systems. By supporting both international and Korean PQC algorithms in the same secure-element environment, the project is designed to demonstrate this flexibility.

IDEMIA Secure Transactions is collaborating with KT on South Korea’s 2026 Post-Quantum Cryptography Pilot Conversion Project, organized by the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) and the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA).

IST is implementing both NIST-standardized and Korean PQC algorithms on a Quantum-Resistant SIM designed to support secure communications and future quantum-safe requirements.

The project is expected to deliver the first implementation of KpqC algorithms on a smart-card platform in Korea.

KT’s broader pilot covers critical defense environments including smart-unit platforms, PCs, CCTV and video storage systems, drones and ground control systems, and 5G networks.