What is Post Quantum Cryptography?

Understanding Post Quantum Cryptography

Post-Quantum Cryptography addresses the looming threat that quantum computers pose to much of our current cryptographic infrastructure. While practical quantum computers with enough qubits to break cryptography don't exist yet, they're advancing rapidly, creating urgency to prepare systems now before it's too late. The core problem is that quantum computers can efficiently solve the mathematical problems underlying popular public-key algorithms like RSA and ECC, potentially rendering them useless for securing data. Post-quantum algorithms rely on alternative mathematical approaches that resist quantum attacks, such as lattice-based, hash-based, code-based, or multivariate cryptography. The transition presents enormous challenges—organizations need to inventory all cryptographic assets, develop transition plans, and implement crypto-agility to facilitate future algorithm changes. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has been leading efforts to standardize post-quantum algorithms, with final standards expected within the next few years. Forward-thinking organizations are already beginning to test these algorithms in non-critical systems.