Towards a Post-Quantum Matrix Protocol: A Hybrid Design Adapted to the Brazilian Scenario
This presentation outlines the development experience of a post-quantum cryptography (PQC) extension for the vodozemac library, tailored for its use in MSG GOV, a Matrix-powered E2EE messenger for the Brazilian federal government. Our hybrid design is adapted to support multiple PQC algorithms, including ML-KEM and Brazil's state-mandated cryptography. The talk details the practical software engineering challenges associated with the hybrid integration of flexible PQC features into the Matrix protocol, extending both the key agreement and the Double Ratchet algorithm while preserving compatibility.
Paulo is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computing at the Federal University of Ceará (UFC), Brazil. He received his PhD in Computer Science from UFC in 2016 and carried out part of his doctoral research at Cisco Systems, Inc. in the United States. His research covers distributed systems, computer networks, and the engineering of complex software systems. He holds a CNPq Research Productivity Fellowship in Technological Development and Innovative Extension (DT). He is the technical coordinator of msg gov, a project that uses the Matrix ecosystem to build secure messaging for the Brazilian government.
Rodrigo Pacheco holds a PhD in Mathematics, specializing in dynamical systems and differential geometry. He currently works in the field of cryptography for the Brazilian government.