POST-QUANTUM-CRYPTOGRAPHY

Quantum-computer-resistant cryptography.

Definition

PQC algorithmic families: Lattice-based (CRYSTALS-Kyber, CRYSTALS-Dilithium, FALCON, FrodoKEM), Hash-based (SPHINCS+, XMSS, LMS), Code-based (Classic McEliece, BIKE, HQC), Multivariate (Rainbow - broken, GeMSS), Isogeny-based (SIKE - broken 2022). NIST PQC standardisation: ML-KEM (Module-Lattice-based Key-Encapsulation Mechanism, Kyber) FIPS 203 published August 2024, ML-DSA (Module-Lattice-based Digital Signature, Dilithium) FIPS 204, SLH-DSA (Stateless Hash-Based Digital Signature, SPHINCS+) FIPS 205. Migration underway critical organisations NSA CNSA 2.0.

Origin

PQC concept formalised after Shor algorithm 1994 ; academic research 2000+ ; NIST PQC standardisation project launched December 2016 ; first standards published August 2024.

Example in context

Google Chrome 116+ enables hybrid ML-KEM (X25519+Kyber768) for TLS 1.3 key exchange by default since August 2023 ; Cloudflare deploys X25519Kyber768 on edge servers globally.

Related terms

• NIST PQC Standards — standardisation framework.