Report on Post-Quantum Cryptography

Published

April 28, 2016

Author(s)

Lidong Chen, Stephen P. Jordan, Yi-Kai Liu, Dustin Moody, Rene C. Peralta, Ray A. Perlner, Daniel C. Smith-Tone

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.

Citation

NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR) - 8105

Report Number

8105

NIST Pub Series

NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR)

Pub Type

NIST Pubs

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DOI Link

Keywords

Public-key cryptography, Post-quantum cryptography, Quantum computing, Quantum-resistant, Quantum-safe

Citation

Chen, L. , Jordan, S. , Liu, Y. , Moody, D. , Peralta, R. , Perlner, R. and Smith-Tone, D. (2016), Report on Post-Quantum Cryptography, NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.IR.8105 (Accessed October 27, 2025)