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We are excited to share the highlights and key takeaways from our recent participation in an Intel-hosted webinar. This exceptional event brought together a dynamic community of industry leaders, innovators, and technology enthusiasts to discuss cutting-edge advancements in cryptographic solutions and FPGA-based acceleration technologies.
Key Highlights of the Webinar
The webinar featured an insightful presentation by Anders Poulsen, VP Solutions and Sales Support at Silicom. He introduced the Silicom Accelerated Crypto Adaptor and its role in improving CPU efficiency in business infrastructure that relies heavily on cryptography. The evolution path of Intel Quick Assist Technology® as well as the introduction of Post Quantum Cryptography (PQC) are major drivers for providing a flexible and performant FPGA based solution for Server offloading of these compute intensive operations.
Key takeaways included:
Silicom Accelerated Crypto Adaptor (SACA):
Designed for scalability and maximum flexibility, this adapter efficiently offloads bulk cryptography and Public Key Crypto (PKC) operations using look-aside processing. The result? A significant boost in CPU efficiency.
FPGA Technology’s Edge:
Leveraging FPGA technology enables parallel processing, adaptability for emerging cryptographic algorithms like PQC, and the flexibility to address diverse cryptographic workloads.
Impressive Real-World Performance:
The SACA demonstrated exceptional TLS ECC (ECDSA/ECDHE) handshake operations, achieving between 90k and 335k operations per second, depending on FPGA size.
Why FPGA Matters for Cryptography
Anders Poulsen provided an in-depth look at why FPGA technology is critical for cryptographic tasks. Here’s what stood out:
✓ Parallel Processing for Efficiency
Unlike CPUs that process tasks sequentially, FPGAs execute multiple algorithms simultaneously. This parallelism enhances scalability and overall efficiency, making it a game-changer for cryptographic operations.
✓ Flexibility and Customization
FPGAs are field-programmable, allowing adaptation to rapidly evolving cryptographic requirements. For instance, they are equipped to handle emerging PQC algorithms like Kyber (ML-KEM) and Dilithium (ML-DSA).
✓ Future-Proofing the Infrastructure
With ASIC chips like Intel’s QuickAssist Technology facing limitations in evolution and algorithm support, FPGA-based solutions provide a scalable, robust alternative for modern cryptographic challenges.
This webinar was a testament to how FPGA-based solutions, such as Silicom´s Accelerated Crypto Adaptor, are redefining cryptographic processing. Here’s the perspective:
Energy Efficiency with High Performance:
The Silicom Accelerated Crypto Adaptor (SACA) achieves high performance with remarkably low power consumption, making it a sustainable choice for modern data centers.
Scalability and Customization:
The FPGA’s linear scalability with additional resources allows for tailored solutions that optimize specific cryptographic algorithms, ensuring operational efficiency.
Flexible Deployment Options:
Currently, the SACA is available for proof-of-concept demonstrations using the Silicom Agilex F-series N6010 FPGA card. By mid-2025, a dedicated, cost-optimized look-aside crypto platform will be available for scaled deployments. The expanded portfolio will include NIST FIPS 203/204-compliant PQC algorithms like Kyber and Dilithium.
Our participation in this Intel-hosted webinar underscores our commitment to staying ahead of industry trends and innovations. By applying these insights to our projects, we aim to provide our clients with state-of-the-art solutions that address their cryptographic needs. We’re actively exploring collaborative opportunities with Intel and our customers to push the boundaries of what’s possible in cryptographic acceleration. Together, we’re committed to building a secure and efficient technological future.
We encourage you to watch the webinar recording to learn more about this exciting topic. Whether you’re a professional seeking robust cryptographic solutions or an enthusiast of FPGA technologies, this webinar is a valuable resource. Feel free to reach out to discuss how these innovations can address your specific challenges. Together, let’s innovate and build a secure, efficient future.
