Report on Post-Quantum Cryptography

Tags: 2010s NIST Quantum

Authors: Chen, Lily and Jordan, Stephen and Liu, Yi-Kai and Moody, Dustin and Peralta, Rene and Perlner, Ray and Smith-Tone, Daniel

Published: April 2016

URL: https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/ir/2016/NIST.IR.8105.pdf

Abstract: In recent years, there has been a substantial amount of research on quantum computers –machines that exploit quantum mechanical phenomena to solve mathematical problems that are difficult or intractable for conventional computers. If large-scale quantum computers are ever built, they will be able to break many of the public-key cryptosystems currently in use. This would seriously compromise the confidentiality and integrity of digital communications on the Internet and elsewhere. The goal of post-quantum cryptography (also called quantum-resistant cryptography) is to develop cryptographic systems that are secure against both quantum and classical computers, and can interoperate with existing communications protocols and networks. This Internal Report shares the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)’s current understanding about the status of quantum computing and post-quantum cryptography, and outlines NIST’s initial plan to move forward in this space. The report also recognizes the challenge of moving to new cryptographic infrastructures and therefore emphasizes the need for agencies to focus on crypto agility.