Code Obfuscation in a Quantum World

ObfusQation studies what remains possible—and what becomes newly possible—when program obfuscation and its applications are placed in a post-quantum and quantum-program setting. Rather than treating quantum computing only as a threat, the project develops concrete, assumption-grounded primitives that support long-term security and quantum-native guarantees, and it builds verification and succinctness tools that let complex (including quantum) computation be checked efficiently and reused safely inside larger constructions. The research agenda is layered as follows: strengthen post-quantum foundations (e.g. timed cryptography and succinct building blocks), develop quantum-enabled functionalities (such as certified deletion and unclonability), and connect these to broader verification and complexity insights at the interface of quantum physics, cryptography, and pure mathematics.

During the reporting period we pursued a coordinated set of technical activities aimed at strengthening the foundations needed for placing quantum cryptography on firm theoretical grounds. We developed new lattice-based constructions and proofs for timed cryptography (time-lock puzzles), advanced cryptographic primitives for the verification of classical and quantum computation, and established the existence of new quantum-cryptographic primitives, together with sharper verification foundations for quantum behavior.

In parallel with this research work, we maintained an active scientific exchange program—through research visits, hosting collaborators/visitors, and presenting intermediate and final results in invited and contributed talks at seminars and workshops. The continuous exchange of ideas has been a key factor in the success of the project thus far.

Main achievements: Establishing the existence of post-quantum time-lock puzzles under lattice assumptions, new quantum-enabled security functionalities, and more modular and efficient verification/succinctness techniques for quantum computation, together forming a strengthened technical platform for future progress on post-quantum obfuscation and obfuscation-related applications.

The potential impact of these results is to strengthen the foundations of cryptography in two settings that are becoming increasingly relevant: Security agains quantum-capable adversaries, and emerging protocols where quantum information is part of the functionality. These outputs provide a technical basis for new post-quantum and quantum cryptography, which can inform future developments in the field. As these areas are still at their infancy, the key need for further uptake is further research on fundamental aspects of these cryptographic primitives.

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - ObfusQation (Code Obfuscation in a Quantum World)

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