Microsoft Tests Post-Quantum Interoperability with Certificate Authorities

Microsoft is testing post-quantum interoperability by partnering with certificate authorities to ensure seamless integration of new cryptographic algorithms. The company's Trusted Root Program is running a pilot for Transport Layer Security outside production and public trust scenarios, involving seven participating certificate authorities.

Karina Sirota Goodley, senior security product manager at Microsoft, emphasized the importance of operational needs in post-quantum readiness. 'At Microsoft, the goal isn't to create a cryptographically interesting solution and then search for a use case,' she said. 'It's to start with a real customer or business problem, understand the operational constraints and build something that works across platforms, protocols, CAs, devices and existing infrastructure.'

Goodley noted that certificate authorities can test issuance and compatibility with Microsoft's platform capabilities in a controlled environment. This is crucial because no individual component can declare success, the whole chain has to work.