Thales Achieves Europe’s First High-Level Security Certification for Quantum-Resistant Smartcard, Pioneering Post-Quantum Cybersecurity for Digital Identity

Thales Achieves Europe’s First High-Level Security Certification for Quantum-Resistant Smartcard, Pioneering Post-Quantum Cybersecurity for Digital Identity

(IN BRIEF) Thales has achieved a European first with the high-level (EAL6+) Common Criteria certification of its quantum-resistant smartcard, the MultiApp 5.2 Premium PQC. Certified by France’s ANSSI, the smartcard integrates post-quantum cryptographic mechanisms standardized by NIST to secure sensitive identity data against future quantum threats. Designed for electronic ID, health, and driving license applications, the card ensures long-term digital protection without changing the user experience. Developed with CEA-Leti and ANSSI, the certification highlights Europe’s leadership in post-quantum security and Thales’ role in shaping the next generation of secure digital identities.

(PRESS RELEASE) LA DÉFENSE, 7-Oct-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Thales has reached a major cybersecurity milestone, becoming the first company in Europe to receive a high-level Common Criteria certification (EAL6+) for a quantum-resistant smartcard, marking a transformative step in protecting digital identities from future quantum threats. Certified by France’s national cybersecurity agency, ANSSI, the ‘MultiApp 5.2 Premium PQC’ smartcard incorporates post-quantum cryptography (PQC), ensuring long-term data integrity and resilience against the immense computational power of quantum computers.

The newly certified smartcard is designed for electronic ID cards, health cards, and driver’s licenses, offering governments and institutions a future-proof foundation for secure identity management. It integrates digital signature algorithms recently standardized by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), making it one of the most advanced identity solutions on the market. While the user experience remains unchanged, the embedded cryptographic system ensures that sensitive data remains secure even as quantum technology advances.

The certification, conducted in collaboration with CEA-Leti IT Security Evaluation Facility and ANSSI, highlights Europe’s readiness to lead in post-quantum security innovation. It reflects ANSSI’s ongoing commitment to advancing cybersecurity technologies while maintaining rigorous evaluation standards.

Franck Sadmi, Head of the National Certification Center at ANSSI, stated:

“This certification demonstrates Europe’s ability to anticipate future risks. By validating Thales’ quantum-resistant smartcard, we’re supporting innovation that ensures secure, trustworthy identity solutions in the post-quantum era.”

Nathalie Gosset, Vice President of Identity & Biometric Solutions at Thales, added:

“This achievement shows that future-proof cybersecurity is no longer a vision—it’s here today. By obtaining the highest security level for a quantum-resistant smartcard, Thales is building the foundation of trust for tomorrow’s civil identities.”

The development of the MultiApp 5.2 Premium PQC card underscores Thales’ ongoing investment in post-quantum cryptography, as traditional encryption methods are expected to become obsolete once large-scale quantum computers emerge. According to Gartner®, “by 2029, advances in quantum computing will make conventional asymmetric cryptography unsafe to use,” emphasizing the urgency of quantum-safe solutions.

The EAL6+ certification level confirms the product’s robustness against sophisticated attacks, suitable for critical applications in government, defense, and finance. This makes Thales’ solution not only a technical breakthrough but also a strategic step in Europe’s digital sovereignty and global cybersecurity leadership.

The company continues to collaborate with international partners on initiatives such as the PQC4eMRTD Project, further reinforcing its commitment to advancing secure, interoperable, and quantum-ready identity systems.

About Thales

Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies for the Defence, Aerospace, and Cyber & Digital sectors. Its portfolio of innovative products and services addresses several major challenges: sovereignty, security, sustainability and inclusion.

The Group invests more than €4 billion per year in Research & Development in key areas, particularly for critical environments, such as Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity, quantum and cloud technologies.

Thales has more than 83,000 employees in 68 countries. In 2024, the Group generated sales of €20.6 billion.

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SOURCE: Thales