Quantum Safe Cryptography (QSC), another name for Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC), describes cryptographic techniques that are resistant to quantum computer assaults. Public key-based encryption, sometimes referred to as asymmetric cryptography, will someday be broken by quantum computers. Everything from your bank transactions to your internet chats is protected by public key-based cryptography.
Because quantum computing poses a serious security risk, post-quantum/quantum-safe cryptography must be used to protect infrastructure and applications. Everything you need to know about the new algorithms created to defend against attacks by quantum computers is covered in this blog.
Quantum Computing: What is it?
In order to answer some kinds of complex problems more quickly than traditional computers, quantum computing makes use of quantum mechanics. It may be possible to solve problems in days that currently take the most powerful supercomputer years to solve.
As a result, quantum computers may provide the processing power needed to advance fields like artificial intelligence. In the near future, powerful quantum computers will be a reality. Although they have numerous advantages, they also pose a serious security risk.
Why do Quantum Computers Pose a Risk to Security?
Conventional asymmetric cryptography techniques for key exchange and digital signatures will be compromised once quantum computers are powerful enough.
By using Shor’s algorithm, quantum computers will be able to significantly lower the security of factorization-based schemes like RSA (Rivest-Shamir-Adleman) and discrete logarithm-based methods like Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC), to the point where no appropriate key size will be sufficient to maintain data security. Everything from our bank accounts to our medical information is protected by the algorithms ECC and RSA.
This quantum threat and the challenge of protecting vital infrastructure from quantum computer assaults have been acknowledged by governments, researchers, and IT leaders worldwide.
What is Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC)?
Key encapsulation mechanisms (KEMs) and new digital signatures are required to defend hardware and data against quantum assaults. Around the world, numerous projects have been started to create and implement new cryptographic algorithms that are extremely resilient to both traditional and quantum assaults and can take the place of RSA and ECC. These cryptographic algorithms are known as post-quantum cryptography (PQC) since they are made to resist quantum computer attacks.
Is Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) the same as Quantum Safe Cryptography?
Yes, post-quantum cryptography is sometimes known as quantum-safe cryptography. Both speak of cryptography techniques that are resistant to quantum computer attacks. Quantum-proof cryptography and Quantum-Resistant Cryptography are other terms you may encounter.
If quantum computers are still a ways off, why do we need to take action now?
Data harvesting is taking place now, but quantum computers with the capacity to crack public key encryption may still be some time off. It is already claimed that malicious actors are gathering encrypted material and keeping it safe until future quantum computers can crack our existing encryption techniques. This approach is referred to as “harvest now, decrypt later.”
Furthermore, the necessity to safeguard private or confidential data now, in order to prevent quantum attacks in the future, is developing rapidly because its shelf life can last for years or even decades. Additionally, the development period is lengthy for many products, including processors. The sooner Quantum Safe Cryptography is implemented, the better, since security testing, certification, and deployment into the current infrastructure might take years.
How far along is the development of new PQC algorithms?
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) of the U.S. Department of Commerce initiated the largest public effort to create and standardize new PQC algorithms. Global groups of cryptographers proposed algorithms, evaluated them, broke some, and increased trust in the security of others.
The first PQC algorithms chosen for standardization were revealed by NIST on July 5, 2022, following several evaluation rounds. The digital signature algorithms CRYSTALS-Dilithium, FALCON, and SPHINCS+ were chosen, along with CRYSTALS-Kyber as a Key Encapsulation Mechanism (KEM).
NIST released the first three draft standards for general-purpose quantum safe cryptography on August 24, 2023.
These are draft standards:
- The previously chosen CRYSTALS-Kyber mechanism serves as the foundation for the FIPS 203 ML-KEM: Module-Lattice-Based Key Encapsulation Mechanism Standard.
- The previously chosen CRYSTALS-Dilithium signature scheme serves as the foundation for the FIPS 204 ML-DSA: Module-Lattice-Based Digital Signature Standard.
- The previously chosen SPHINCS+ signature scheme serves as the foundation for the FIPS 205 SLH-DSA: Stateless Hash-Based Digital Signature Standard.
What Suggestions Does CNSA 2.0 Have Regarding the Switch to PQC Algorithms?
In September 2022, the National Security Agency (NSA) released CNSA 2.0, an update to its Commercial National Security Algorithm Suite (CNSA).
By 2033, National Security Systems (NSS) must make the complete switch to PQC algorithms, while some use cases may need to be finished as early as 2030. In addition to stateful hash-based signature schemes XMSS (eXtended Merkle Signature Scheme) and LMS (Leighton-Micali Signatures), CNSA 2.0 mandates the usage of CRYSTALS-Kyber and CRYSTALS-Dilithium as quantum-resistant algorithms.
Other organizations worldwide are expected to follow suit with their own rules, since CNSA 2.0 lays out an ambitious schedule for the implementation of PQC algorithms.
How can businesses prepare for the era of quantum computing?
- Recognize the locations in your goods where vulnerable cryptography, such as RSA or ECC, is used.
- Examine how a PQC shift will affect your products’ performance and what makes sense for your product strategy.
- Decide which transition dates your items need to adhere to.
- Talk to your suppliers and customers to make sure that plans and expectations line up.
- Recognize the locations in your company’s infrastructure and operations where susceptible cryptography, such as RSA or ECC, is used.
- Speak with security professionals like Rambus to find out how to start using quantum-safe cryptography.
Conclusion
In the end, post-quantum cryptography is a strategic requirement for the present, not a far-off worry for the future. The time to get ready is now, since there is a real risk that a quantum computer could crack our existing encryption standards.
Although difficult, the path to a world that is quantum-safe is essential. We can guarantee the protection of our digital assets, communications, and infrastructure for many years to come by creating and deploying new cryptographic algorithms. Building a solid foundation now is the best defense against a future threat, as demonstrated by this collaborative shift that will require a proactive approach from governments, corporations, and developers alike.
FAQ
What is post-quantum cryptography?
Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) refers to algorithms designed to resist attacks from powerful future quantum computers, which could break current public-key cryptography methods like RSA and ECC.
What is the PQC process?
Post Quantum Cryptography (PQC) explained that Quantum computers are machines that use quantum mechanical processes to solve mathematical problems that are difficult or unsolvable for conventional, binary computers.
Why is PQC important?
PQC algorithms ensure the long-term security and privacy of digital communications and data exchange in a future where quantum computers can efficiently break classical cryptographic schemes.
What is PQC in 6G?
PQC, QKD, and SatQKD are essential components of quantum-safe networks designed for 6G technology.
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