Quantum Software Solutions, a Qatari technology innovation and research lab under MBK Holding, has developed a post-quantum security add-on designed to safeguard digitally signed documents against emerging threats from quantum computing. The solution integrates with existing e-signature platforms, leveraging the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) primary-recommended post-quantum cryptographic algorithms and the quantum-resistant blockchain technology of QANplatform. This dual-layer approach addresses both signature authenticity and immutable timing, mitigating the risk of retroactive alteration of signed documents, a vulnerability anticipated as quantum computing capabilities advance. QANplatform, a member of the Linux Foundation and one of the first 20 members of the Linux Foundation’s Post-Quantum Cryptography Alliance (PQCA), implemented its quantum-resistant technology in one EU country in 2024 and provides a platform capable of handling large transaction volumes generated by SignQuantum. The technology addresses the impending NIST deprecation of current digital signature algorithms anticipated after 2030 and aims to support the projected growth of the digital signature industry, currently valued at USD 10.80 billion in 2025 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 40.9% to a projected USD 118.88 billion by 2032.
Quantum Threat to Digital Signatures
The escalating capabilities of quantum computing present a significant and increasingly imminent threat to the integrity of digital signatures, a cornerstone of modern secure communication and transactional systems. Current digital signature schemes, overwhelmingly reliant on asymmetric cryptographic algorithms such as RSA and Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC), are fundamentally vulnerable to Shor’s algorithm, a quantum algorithm capable of efficiently factoring large numbers and solving the discrete logarithm problem – the mathematical foundations upon which these algorithms depend. This vulnerability extends beyond immediate compromise; data signed today using these algorithms could be retroactively decrypted and forged once sufficiently powerful quantum computers become available.
The digital signature industry, currently valued at USD 10.80 billion in 2025 and projected to reach USD 118.88 billion by 2032, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 40.9%, is therefore facing a paradigm shift. The United States National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has acknowledged this threat and is actively driving the standardization of post-quantum cryptography (PQC) – cryptographic algorithms believed to be resistant to attacks from both classical and quantum computers. NIST’s ongoing standardization process, culminating in the selection of primary algorithms intended for widespread adoption, is critical in mitigating the quantum threat. However, simply replacing existing algorithms with PQC alternatives is insufficient.
A holistic approach to quantum-resistant security necessitates the integration of PQC with technologies capable of ensuring data immutability and verifiable timestamps. Centralized Certificate Authorities (CAs), traditionally relied upon to validate digital identities and issue certificates, are increasingly susceptible to compromise and represent single points of failure. Blockchain technology, offering a decentralized and tamper-evident ledger, presents a potential solution, but is itself vulnerable to quantum attacks if utilizing conventional cryptographic primitives. Consequently, a quantum-resistant blockchain platform is essential for securing the integrity of digitally signed documents.
SignQuantum, a product of Quantum Software Solutions, a Qatari technology innovation and research lab and member of MBK Holding, addresses this challenge through a software add-on integrating with existing e-signature platforms. The solution leverages NIST-recommended PQC algorithms alongside the quantum-resistant blockchain technology of QANplatform. QANplatform, a member of the Linux Foundation and one of the first 20 members of the Linux Foundations Post-Quantum Cryptography Alliance (PQCA), implemented its quantum-resistant technology in one EU country in 2024. Its architecture is designed to handle high transaction volumes, critical for scaling to meet the demands of widespread adoption. The combined approach ensures both the authenticity of the signature and the immutable recording of the signing time, creating a robust defense against quantum-enabled forgery. Sheikh Mansoor Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Founder and Chairman of MBK Holding, highlights the significance of this innovation, stating that SignQuantum “addresses a critical global challenge, paving the way for a secure post-quantum era across both the private and public sectors.” NIST is urging institutions to adopt quantum-resistant cryptography before 2030, after which current algorithms will be deprecated, necessitating system updates to maintain data integrity and customer trust.
SignQuantum’s Post-Quantum Solution
SignQuantum’s Post-Quantum Solution represents a proactive response to the escalating threat posed by quantum computing to the integrity of digitally signed documents. Developed by Quantum Software Solutions, a research and innovation lab affiliated with MBK Holding, the solution is designed as a seamless add-on to existing electronic signature platforms, mitigating the need for wholesale system replacements and facilitating a pragmatic transition to post-quantum cryptography (PQC). The core innovation lies in the synergistic integration of algorithms standardized by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) with the quantum-resistant blockchain infrastructure provided by QANplatform.
The impending obsolescence of currently deployed public-key cryptography, susceptible to attacks from sufficiently powerful quantum computers utilizing algorithms such as Shor’s algorithm, necessitates a shift towards PQC. NIST’s ongoing standardization process has identified several candidate algorithms, and SignQuantum’s solution incorporates these, ensuring future-proof security. However, merely implementing PQC algorithms is insufficient; the timestamping mechanism – crucial for establishing the order of events and preventing retroactive forgery – also requires quantum resistance. This is where QANplatform’s blockchain technology becomes integral. QANplatform, a member of the Linux Foundation and an early participant in the Post-Quantum Cryptography Alliance (PQCA), employs a hybrid blockchain architecture designed to withstand attacks from both classical and quantum computers. Its implementation within one European Union member state in 2024 demonstrates a degree of operational maturity and validation.
The QANplatform blockchain facilitates the creation of an immutable audit trail, recording the precise time of signature creation and linking it cryptographically to the signed document. This dual-layer security – PQC algorithms for signature authenticity and a quantum-resistant blockchain for tamper-proof timestamping – addresses the vulnerabilities inherent in traditional digital signature schemes and centralized Certificate Authorities (CAs). The platform’s architecture is engineered to handle the substantial transaction volumes anticipated with widespread adoption, a critical consideration for scalability. Furthermore, QANplatform’s capability to support smart contract functionality in any programming language enhances the flexibility and potential applications of the solution. Sheikh Mansoor Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Founder and Chairman of MBK Holding, emphasizes the global significance of SignQuantum, stating that it “addresses a critical global challenge, paving the way for a secure post-quantum era across both the private and public sectors.” The urgency of adopting such solutions is underscored by NIST’s impending deprecation of current digital signature algorithms after 2030, which will necessitate comprehensive system updates to maintain data integrity and customer trust.
Technological Underpinnings and Integration
The SignQuantum solution’s technological foundation rests upon a synergistic integration of post-quantum cryptography (PQC) algorithms, specifically those recommended by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and the quantum-resistant blockchain infrastructure provided by QANplatform. This approach addresses the escalating threat posed by advancements in quantum computing to currently deployed public-key cryptographic systems, such as RSA and ECC, which underpin most digital signature schemes. The core innovation lies in the layered security model: NIST-recommended PQC algorithms, currently unspecified but adhering to the standards established through the NIST Post-Quantum Cryptography Standardization process, are employed to generate and verify digital signatures, ensuring authenticity. However, signature authenticity alone is insufficient in a future where quantum computers could potentially compromise even PQC algorithms over time.
To mitigate this long-term risk and establish an immutable record of signature creation, SignQuantum leverages QANplatform’s hybrid blockchain architecture. QANplatform distinguishes itself through its ability to support smart contract functionality written in any programming language, a feature facilitated by its unique virtual machine and consensus mechanism. This flexibility allows for the creation of sophisticated audit trails and the integration of digital signatures into a wider range of applications. The platform’s hybrid nature combines aspects of both proof-of-work and proof-of-stake consensus mechanisms, aiming to balance security, scalability, and energy efficiency. Crucially, QANplatform’s blockchain is designed to resist attacks from both classical and quantum computers, employing cryptographic primitives believed to be secure against known quantum algorithms. This is achieved through a combination of lattice-based cryptography and other quantum-resistant techniques.
The integration process is designed to be seamless, functioning as an add-on to existing e-signature platforms without requiring substantial modifications to current workflows. This is facilitated by QANplatform’s application programming interfaces (APIs) and software development kit (SDK), which allow developers to easily integrate the quantum-resistant blockchain functionality into their existing systems. The system generates a cryptographic hash of the signed document and timestamp data, storing this hash on the QANplatform blockchain. This creates an immutable record of the signature’s existence at a specific point in time, preventing retroactive alteration or forgery. The transaction volume capacity of QANplatform is a key consideration, and the platform is engineered to handle the anticipated load generated by widespread adoption of quantum-resistant digital signatures. The successful implementation of QANplatform’s technology within one European Union member state in 2024 serves as a validation of its operational maturity and scalability. Furthermore, QANplatform’s membership in the Linux Foundation and its participation in the Post-Quantum Cryptography Alliance (PQCA) demonstrate its commitment to open standards and collaborative innovation in the field of quantum-resistant cryptography. The research and development underpinning this integration are spearheaded by Quantum Software Solutions, a Qatari technology innovation and research lab and a member of MBK Holding, with contributions from the QANplatform development team.
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