The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has published the first post-quantum cryptography standards, selecting three algorithms to protect data against the future risks posed by quantum computing.
Two of these algorithms, ML-KEM and ML-DSA, were developed by IBM researchers in collaboration with industry partners. A third, SLH-DSA, was co-developed by a researcher who later joined IBM.
Quantum computers, unlike traditional systems, have the potential to break the encryption methods currently safeguarding data. These new cryptography standards aim to address that concern by creating algorithms that quantum computers cannot easily compromise.
“IBM’s mission in quantum computing is two-fold: to bring useful quantum computing to the world and to make the world quantum-safe,” Jay Gambetta, VP at IBM Quantum, said in a media release. “We are excited about the incredible progress we have made with today’s quantum computers, which are being used across global industries to explore problems as we push towards fully error-corrected systems.”
Security concerns
He noted, though, that these advancements could herald an upheaval in the security of most sensitive data and systems. He acknowledged that NIST’s publication of their first three post-quantum cryptography standards marks a significant step in efforts to build a quantum-safe future alongside quantum computing.
IBM is actively pushing the development of quantum systems, expecting to deliver its first error-corrected quantum system by 2029. This new technology is expected to handle computations that today’s classical computers cannot, solving complex problems across various industries, such as healthcare and logistics.
However, as quantum systems advance, they could become a threat to current cybersecurity standards, like RSA encryption, which has long protected global data. IBM’s cryptographic experts have been working for decades to develop solutions, and their algorithms are set to replace existing encryption methods, ensuring a quantum-secure future.
NIST’s newly published standards are a key step toward protecting data transmitted over public networks and used for identity verification. The standards provide a framework for governments and industries to begin implementing post-quantum security measures.