Everything You Need to Know About Post-Quantum Cryptographic Algorithms

Organizations have a lot at risk if their cybersecurity measures fail and their data is breached. They not only hold sensitive information for their company but often also users’ sensitive data. And cyberattacks are on the rise—from 2022 to 2023, the number of data breaches increased by 20%. (1)

One essential component of any organization’s cybersecurity plan is data encryption and cryptography. But what if this shield itself becomes vulnerable? Enter post-quantum cryptography.

What is post-quantum cryptography?

Traditionally, online information is protected with a kind of digital lock and key system that uses complicated algorithms to scramble the information, making it unreadable to anyone without the special key to unlock it. The more complex the algorithm, the harder it is to crack the code. However, there’s a looming power of supercomputers that use unique science to unlock secrets much faster than any computer today. These are called quantum computers, and they’re getting stronger every year.

In fact, by 2030, experts predict these machines will have a breakthrough, with the power to impact everything from medicine to materials science. As per recent data, the market size for quantum computing could even rise to USD$ 90 billion. While this helps resolve many tech problems, it also makes crucial online information susceptible to threat. (2)

That’s where post quantum cryptography comes in. It’s a new way of creating “digital locks” that even these powerful quantum computers wouldn’t be able to break easily. These new locks use completely unique algorithms. While still in its early stages, experts believe that post-quantum cryptography can help combat the heightened threats posed by quantum computers.

Why are current encryption methods not enough?

To simplify things, here’s an example: you have a secret message you want to send securely. Encryption methods like the RSA (Rivest–Shamir–Adleman) and ECC (Elliptic Curve Cryptography) act like digital scrambling machines. They take your message and turn it into a jumbled mess of letters and numbers, unreadable to anyone without the special key to decode it. These encryption methods work because they rely on very complex algorithms.

However, while these algorithms work for regular computers, they become much easier for quantum computers to solve. These powerful machines can explore many solutions simultaneously, making them super-fast at cracking these codes. Sadly, this means the codes protecting your data today might not be secure in the future with the rise of quantum computers, making confidential data vulnerable to different attacks, like the ‘harvest now, decrypt later’ attack.

What is the ‘harvest now, decrypt later’ attack?

As the name itself suggests, this type of attack involves hackers harvesting encrypted data today and waiting for advancements in quantum computing that will allow them to decrypt it later. This could lead to breaches of financial records, medical information, government secrets, and more. Industries like finance, healthcare, and government that rely heavily on secure data exchange would be particularly at risk.

What are the NIST’s post-quantum cryptographic algorithms?

To combat the threat of quantum computers cracking today’s encryption, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has conducted a six-year competition that started in 2016 to find the best encryption tool that will counter even the most advanced tools. In the end, they chose four encryption methods called post-quantum cryptography (PQC) algorithms. (3)

Here’s a breakdown what each of these PQC algorithms does:

ML-KEM (formerly CRYSTALS-Kyber)

Let’s go back to the example earlier: you’re sending a secret message to a friend online. How does ML-KEM (Module Lattice-based Key Encryption Module) help you secure this message? This chosen algorithm acts like a private mailman. It creates a special digital lock and key just for the two of you. This allows you to exchange the key securely without anyone else being able to eavesdrop. This is crucial for protecting online communication, like on websites and messaging apps.

CRYSTALS-Dilithium, FALCON, and SPHINC+

These three PQC algorithms work together to safeguard digital documents and messages, like signing a contract online. When you sign a physical document, it shows it’s from you. These PQC algorithms act like digital bodyguards, ensuring that even with powerful quantum computers, nobody can tamper with your signature or the contents of your digital documents.

Here’s a quick breakdown of their roles:

 CRYSTALS-Dilithium

This one focuses on creating a unique digital fingerprint for your document.

FALCON and SPHINC+

These work together to verify that the fingerprint hasn’t been changed and the document is authentic.

By working together, these three PQC algorithms form a strong shield to protect the integrity of your digital documents in the quantum age.

These are just some of the exciting new tools being developed to keep crucial data safe. By adopting these PQC algorithms, organizations and individuals can ensure their information remains secure even in the face of future advancements in quantum computing technology.

How can organizations prepare for quantum computing?

While quantum computing is still evolving, organizations can start preparing now. One crucial step is to stay informed about evolving cyberthreats as well as advancements in PQC algorithms. Make sure your team has a transition plan in place and is ready to adapt to new cryptographic protocols once they become standardized.

Your transition plan should also include identifying any current vulnerabilities in the cryptographic infrastructure and conducting audits to see what encryption methods do or will need to be upgraded. Remember: Proactivity is key as the reality of quantum computing fast approaches.

In closing

The rise of quantum computers poses a challenge to the current digital security methods. However, there’s no need to panic! Post-quantum cryptography is like a new generation of security locks specifically designed to withstand these powerful machines. By understanding the threats and implementing these new PQC algorithms, you can safeguard sensitive information for a secure future, even in the age of quantum computing.

References

1. ‘Why Data Breaches Spiked in 2023’, Source: https://hbr.org/2024/02/why-data-breaches-spiked-in-2023

2. ‘Quantum computing – statistics & facts’, Source: https://www.statista.com/topics/9647/quantum-computing/#topicOverview

3. ‘NIST Announces First Four Quantum-Resistant Cryptographic Algorithms’, Source: https://www.nist.gov/news-events/news/2022/07/nist-announces-first-four-quantum-resistant-cryptographic-algorithms

Similar Stories