One huge question: Who is capturing your data with intentions of decrypting it later? This is a problem that is gaining far more attention due to the rise of Quantum computers and Artificial Intelligence. These types of attacks are called Store and Decrypt Later. The idea is that bad guys know that one day they will be able to decrypt the data, so they simply steal the encrypted data and hold on to it long enough to find a way to decrypt it through a quantum computer or some other method. The issue, the bad guys will never let you know when they can do this, it might be tomorrow for all we know…
This is not the only threat it is just one of them, and our friends at Patero solve this today with standards based technology. We do this by getting rid if traditional encryption systems and replace them with Post Quantum Safe Algorithms that can resist quantum attacks and decryption techniques. The U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has already finalized new PQC standards (FIPS 203, 204, and 205) in 2024, centering on lattice-based encryption methods such as CRYSTALS-Kyber and CRYSTALS-Dilithium for encryption and digital signatures, respectively. Additionally, the HQC algorithm was selected in 2025 for further consideration in post-quantum cryptographic protocols.
Prestige Technology and Patero are currently implementing these solutions to protect critical infrastructure and systems such as Healthcare, Energy, Universities, State and Local Governments, enterprise business and much more. The technology is not expensive, it is easy to implement and deploy, and is not complicated. In fact, the Patero solution runs on standard Linux operating systems, and can reside on a virtual machine or a hardened piece of equipment. It is super flexible, lightweight, and easy to understand.
https://patero.ioPlease check out Patero and when you are ready to discuss implementation, give us a shout and Prestige will assist you with the entire process, help with sizing, pricing, implementation, management, and monitoring. sales@prestigesystems.com
Here is an excerpt from a questionnaire given to use by a critical infrastructure company, it helps answer many questions:
A. Architecture and Integration – Prestige runs our Patero endpoint aggregation nodes on Ubuntu VMs in the Prestige Cloud.
- What are the technical prerequisites for deploying PQC into an existing SCADA or ICS system? Patero’s CryptoQoR runs in the user space of the Linux OS. So theoretically anywhere you can run an OS that has ethernet networking.
- How does Patero integrate with legacy infrastructure and proprietary OT systems (e.g., Siemens, Rockwell, Honeywell)? It is a software based solution with API’s for integration, fully supporting all ethernet standards.
- Is the solution hardware-agnostic or does it require dedicated appliances? Hardware agnostic. Runs in Linux user space, has been thoroughly tested with Redhat, Ubuntu, Oracle Linux and others. Several certified hardware vendors with hardened systems such as Advantech.
B. Cryptography and Protocols – Prestige uses Kyber-1024 on our Patero instances.
- Which PQC algorithms are implemented (e.g., lattice-based, hash-based)? Are they compliant with NIST Round 4 standards? Patero supports and utilizes the standardized NIST certified and compliant algorithms, and has mechanism to insert and replaced new algos on the fly.
- Are hybrid cryptographic modes available (e.g., combining classical + PQC during transition)? Yes, Patero’s model already incorporates a hybrid model.
- How does Patero handle key management, especially for high-volume, multi-terminal environments? Key management for most deployments are handled internally, however there are certified partners for key and entropy management.
C. Performance and Scalability
- What is the performance overhead (latency, throughput) introduced by quantum-safe VPNs or encryption modules? 1-2% overhead and a couple of ms additional latency.
- Can this scale across a port’s entire terminal network, including railcar tracking and IoT sensors? Yes, it can be deployed as a full zero trust quantum safe network.
D. Security Assurance and Testing – Prestige can deploy and demo simple and advanced simulations for testing.
- What third-party audits or certifications has Patero completed (e.g., FIPS 140-3, penetration tests, NIST evaluations)? Completing FIPS 203 now, several 3rd party tests and certifications.
- Are attack simulations available for demonstrating resilience against both classical and quantum threat models? Yes
E. Deployment and Support – Prestige provides complete deployment and support for Patero products and services.
- What is the estimated deployment timeline and process for a pilot at one terminal? A few days to a few weeks. Depends on number of endpoints and integrations necessary.
- What are licensing models—per endpoint, per encrypted stream, or by bandwidth? 2 licensing options. Capex perpetual licenses, opex per cpu core.
- What ongoing support or managed services are provided? Standard software support license. Managed services provided through partners such as Prestige.
F. Future-Proofing and Compliance
- How frequently are cryptographic algorithms and firmware updated in line with NIST or DHS CISA guidance? As they are available certified, tested.
- Does Patero provide compliance mapping for maritime cybersecurity frameworks (e.g., IMO 2021, NIST CSF, TSA Pipeline Directive)? Yes, and there is a specific product called PanoQor for scanning and inventory of environments.
“Post-quantum encryption refers to cryptographic algorithms designed to withstand attacks from future quantum computers, which could potentially break current encryption methods. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has finalized its first set of post-quantum encryption standards, which are ready for immediate use. These standards are based on mathematical problems that would be difficult for both conventional and quantum computers to solve.
Despite the availability of these standards, widespread adoption of post-quantum encryption has been slow due to factors such as the inefficiency of new algorithms and the need for both sides of a communication to switch to the new system. However, some organizations, such as Google and Cisco, have already started implementing post-quantum cryptography to secure their data.” Wikipedia