Post Quantum Cryptography (PQC) is an encryption method designed to protect data from threats posed by future quantum computers. Many of the conventional encryption methods used to protect data and transactions online, like RSA and ECC, can be cracked by quantum computers.

 The goal of PQC is to develop new encryption techniques that are secure despite the generalization of quantum computers. These new techniques are based on mathematical problems that are difficult for quantum computers to solve, thus ensuring that our data will remain safe even in the quantum era.

How Quantum Computers Can Break Current Encryption?

Understanding Quantum Computing:

Quantum computers use qubits, which work instead of ordinary bits. Normal bits can only be 0 or 1, but qubits can be both, i.e. 0 and 1, at the same time. This is called superposition, and these qubits can also be tangent to each other. This makes quantum computers much faster than conventional computers at certain tasks.

Breaking Traditional Cryptography:

Conventional encryption techniques like RSA and ECC rely on the difficulty of cracking a big number. But quantum computers can solve such problems faster, such as Shor’s algorithms. This means that the encryption methods we use today can be easily broken by quantum computers, making them insecure in the future. So we need new encryption methods, called post quantum cryptography, that are resistant to quantum attacks.

What Are Post Quantum Cryptography Algorithms?

Post-quantum cryptography (PQC) consists of new algorithms developed to avoid attacks by quantum computers. These algorithms are based on mathematical problems that are difficult for quantum computers to solve. These algorithms can be divided into 3 different types:

Lattice-based Cryptography:

This method is based on mathematical lattices (lattices of points), which are difficult for quantum computers. A popular algorithm of this type is NTRU, which has been developed for secure encryption and digital signatures.

Code-Based Cryptography:

It is based on error-correcting codes, which correct errors in data transmission. Quantum computers have trouble solving these issues. FrodoKEM is an algorithm used for key exchange.

Multivariate Cryptography:

It involves equations with many variables, which are difficult for quantum computers to find or solve. Kyber is an algorithm focused on secure key exchange.

What Types of Challenges Are Involved in Developing Quantum-Resistant Cryptography?

Performance Issues:

One of the main problems with post quantum cryptography is that new algorithms need bigger key sizes and encrypt data more slowly than current techniques. These large sizes also take up a lot of storage, making them difficult to use in reality, such as online transactions.

Standardization Efforts:

Another challenge is to develop global standards for PQC. Organizations such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) are working on testing and standardizing these algorithms. This process ensures that the best and safest methods are adopted as quantum computers develop further.

Conclusion:

Post-quantum cryptography (PQC) is essential to protect data from future quantum computers, as it can break existing encryption methods such as RSA (Rivest-Shamir-Adleman) and ECC(Elliptic Curve Cryptography). PQC introduces new algorithms that are difficult for quantum computers to solve. Although there are some challenges like slow encryption speed and large size, organizations like NIST are working to develop secure and standardized solutions to keep us safe in the future.