NIST Announces First Four Quantum-Resistant Cryptographic Algorithms

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has chosen the first group of encryption tools that are designed to withstand the assault of a future quantum computer, which could potentially crack the security used to protect privacy in the digital systems we rely on every day — such as online banking and email software. The four selected encryption algorithms will become part of NIST’s post-quantum cryptographic standard, expected to be finalized in about two years.

“Today’s announcement is an important milestone in securing our sensitive data against the possibility of future cyberattacks from quantum computers,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo. “Thanks to NIST’s expertise and commitment to cutting-edge technology, we are able to take the necessary steps to secure electronic information so U.S. businesses can continue innovating while maintaining the trust and confidence of their customers.”

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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Post-Quantum Cryptography: A Q&A With NIST’s Matt Scholl Oct. 27, 2021 If and when a powerful enough quantum computer is built, it could run algorithms that would break many of the encryption codes we use to protect our data. In this interview with the Taking Measure blog, Matt Scholl, chief of the Computer Security Division at NIST, discusses how worried we should be about this and what’s being done to mitigate the danger a future quantum computer poses to our data. Read More

Post-Quantum Cryptography: the Good, the Bad, and the Powerful

Oct. 27, 2021
This video featuring NIST’s Matt Scholl emphasizes how NIST is working with the brightest minds in government, academia and industry from around the world to develop a new set of encryption standards that will work with our current classical computers — while being resistant to the quantum machines of the future.

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