Cloudflare to Issue Quantum-Safe TLS Certificates
Cloudflare plans to issue quantum-safe TLS certificates via an open source platform and acquire a trusted root from GlobalSign.
Cloudflare announced plans to issue quantum-safe TLS certificates, using an open source platform that issues both classic TLS certificates and post-quantum Merkle Tree Certificates. The hybrid certificates will be free to both paying and non-paying users.
As part of the move, Cloudflare will acquire an already trusted certificate root from certificate authority GlobalSign. The company said the move will let millions of websites use post-quantum certificates without increased performance overhead.
Cloudflare said the makeover of the WebPKI will take years to complete and requires work from many engineers. Cloudflare's Steve Goldsmith said the company is not issuing certificates yet and it will be a little while before it does.
Quantum-proof versions of classical X.509 certificates would add roughly 40 times the data required for a TLS handshake, according to Cloudflare.
Quick answers
What did Cloudflare announce?
Cloudflare announced plans to issue quantum-safe TLS certificates using an open source platform that issues both classic TLS certificates and post-quantum Merkle Tree Certificates.
Will the certificates cost anything?
No, the hybrid certificates will be free to both paying and non-paying users.
When will Cloudflare start issuing certificates?
Not yet. Cloudflare's Steve Goldsmith said the company is not issuing certificates yet and it will be a little while before it does.