Phase 4: Post-Quantum Cryptography
Post-quantum cryptography (PQC) is the answer to the quantum threat. These are classical algorithms — they run on today's computers — but they rely on mathematical problems that even a quantum computer can't solve efficiently. NIST finalized the first three standards in August 2024. This is the future of encryption.
What is Post-Quantum Cryptography?
Classical algorithms that quantum computers can't break. The four main families and the hard problems they're built on.
Start here →NIST PQC Standards (FIPS 203/204/205)
The 8-year standardization process that selected the algorithms the world will use. What FIPS 203, 204, and 205 mean and when to use each.
Explore NIST standards →Lattice-Based Cryptography (ML-KEM)
The most important family of post-quantum algorithms. How lattices and the "Learning With Errors" problem create unbreakable encryption.
Explore lattice crypto →Digital Signatures (ML-DSA)
How to sign documents and code in a quantum-safe way. CRYSTALS-Dilithium, now standardized as ML-DSA under FIPS 204.
Explore ML-DSA →Hash-Based Signatures (SLH-DSA)
The most conservative post-quantum signature scheme — security reducible to the hash function alone. SPHINCS+, now FIPS 205.
Explore SLH-DSA →