Data security standards are critical in order for organizations to manage security risks. But what happens with the standards as quantum computing (and post-quantum cryptography) radically change our digital world?
Many cryptography standards have been developed, coordinated, and promoted by various standardization bodies, of course, and this trend is expected to continue.
But with the progression of advanced mathematics and major quantum computing threats on the horizon, quantum cryptography is gaining traction to offer protection against such concerns. This will render current solutions useless — as well as challenge the existing standards.
Let’s take a look at the relationship between data security standards and quantum cryptography, and what developments are forthcoming.
Why Quantum Cryptography Benefits from Data Security Standards
As with cryptography in general, data security standards for quantum cryptography will improve risk management in significant ways:
- Data security standards — quantum or otherwise — provide an established set of security requirements against which systems can be tested, assuring users that data protection solutions are more secure.
- Data security standards facilitate the understanding of common terminology and concepts, preventing errors, providing consistency and interoperability, and saving time in the development of new products.
- Data security standards lead to improvements in quality of data security measures due to the establishment of best practices and conformance requirements.
- Data security standards allow consumers to easily compare products, as standards reduce the technical variations between them, while also ensuring the interchangeability of technology.
Data security standards encourage a strong cybersecurity infrastructure which will likewise encourage the evolution and expansion of robust quantum cryptography solutions.
Post-Quantum Cryptography Standardization
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) helps develop cybersecurity standards and best practices for government, businesses and the general public in the United States, with a focus on cryptography, including post-quantum cryptography.
NIST was originally set to identify a number of public-key cryptographic algorithms to be standardized after a third round of the Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) standardization process in December 2021 or January 2022. After some delay, NIST recently announced four candidate algorithms for standardization: CRYSTALS-KYBER (key-establishment) and CRYSTALS-Dilithium (digital signatures), the two primary algorithms to be implemented for most use cases, along with the signature schemes FALCON and SPHINCS+. Four Key-Establishment Mechanism (KEM) algorithm candidates will advance to the fourth round, and a fourth NIST PQC Standardization Conference will be held by NIST on November 29 – December 1, 2022.
These are critical developments for the future of cryptography. As we get closer to post-quantum cryptography standardization, organizations must action now to be prepared for a quantum-proof (or quantum-resistant, at least) future. The good news is, even with standardization delays, quantum-safe solutions are already available — advanced post-quantum cryptographic algorithms that will be adaptable once final draft standards are released, and businesses can begin reaping the benefits right away.
Setting A New Standard for Cryptography
The push for standardization for quantum cryptography exists because the necessity for quantum cryptography is inevitable. A true quantum threats loom. Existing cryptography methodologies are vulnerable and failing. But Theon Technology has been working for years to develop a true next-generation solution.
Theon’s patented methodologies help protect data from the impending quantum computing threats. With a focus on data sovereignty, data security, and data compression, Theon’s software approach supports multiple deployment models. In a decisive step towards unbreakable encryption, Theon’s products generate high-entropy, quantum-resistant keys at scale with speed and economy, setting a new standard for software-based cryptography. Users benefit from a cryptography solution that doesn’t demand massive computing power, and is easy-to-integrate at both the client side and server levels. It’s a whole new level of encryption.
Get ahead of the game on the road to perfect secrecy: Contact a Theon expert today to begin the journey towards a revolution in data security for your organization. You can also download our free eBooks here to learn more.