XGate, a network security company, said on Tuesday its post-quantum cryptography (PQC)-based hybrid cryptographic module has received KCMVP (Korea Cryptographic Module Validation Program) certification from the National Intelligence Service.

KCMVP is a system under which the state verifies the cryptographic performance of security products introduced to the government and public institutions. XGate stressed that, following national certification based on a hardware-type QRNG (quantum random number generator), it has also obtained certification based on a software-type PQC.

XGate said it plans to accelerate its strategy to secure a lead in markets requiring top-level security, including defense, the defense industry, the public sector and finance.

A XGate official said the certification completes a "quantum security solution" in the true sense and stressed it is an important milestone proving the company's technology meets South Korea's national security standards.

The official added that government and public institutions had recognized the need to adopt PQC to prepare for quantum computing threats but had faced difficulties with actual adoption due to the absence of a validated certified module. With XGate's KCMVP certification, institutional and technical hurdles that had blocked the introduction of PQC at government agencies have been resolved, and quantum transition in the public sector is expected to gain rapid momentum, the official said.