Jul. 31, 2025 –
ST recently released its first post-quantum cryptographic library package, X-CUBE-PQC, ensuring STM32 microcontrollers are ready to pass the latest security certifications that will protect users against attacks running on quantum computers. The software package works in conjunction with X-CUBE-CRYPTOLIB, a firmware library that implements extensive security features on STM32, including encryption and decryption algorithms. In the case of X-CUBE-PQC, it will offer updated algorithms certified by the cryptographic algorithm validation program of the National Institute of Science and Technology to ensure that encryption, hashing, authentication, or signing operations remain future-proof as quantum computers become more capable.
In 2024, avid readers will remember that we talked about Quantropi, a member of the ST Partner Program that brings PQC to STM32 devices. More recently, at Embedded World 2025, we featured a demo showing how developers could set up an end-to-end encrypted communication system on AWS that supported post-quantum cryptographic solutions. In a nutshell, embedded systems are increasingly adopting PQC, while regulators in Europe and America are starting to demand that IoT solutions be quantum-resistant. Decision-makers are feeling even more pressure to protect their products, mainly because of the paradox that attacks by quantum computers do not require a quantum response.