NIST Releases First Post-Quantum Cryptography Standards with Three Encryption Algorithms

Aug 13, 2024, 03:45 PM

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has released its first set of finalized standards for post-quantum cryptography, marking a significant milestone in cybersecurity. These standards, known as Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS), include three encryption algorithms: FIPS 203 ML-KEM, FIPS 204 ML-DSA, and FIPS 205 SLH-DSA. Developed to withstand potential threats posed by future quantum computers, these algorithms aim to secure electronic information such as confidential emails and e-commerce transactions. The standards are part of a broader effort to ensure data protection in a quantum computing era, with contributions from organizations like IBM Research and SandboxAQ. The release follows 9 years of research and evaluation, positioning these algorithms as the foundation for future cryptographic security.