Alliance seeks to address the security challenges posed by quantum computing through the development and adoption of post-quantum cryptography
The Linux Foundation, a non-profit Organization that supports Linux development and open-source software projects, has recently announced the launch of the Post-Quantum Cryptography Alliance (PQCA), an open and collaborative initiative
to drive the advancement and adoption of post-quantum cryptography.
Post-quantum cryptography (PQC), sometimes referred to as quantum-proof, quantum-safe or quantum-resistant, is the development of cryptographic algorithms that are thought to be secure against a cryptanalytic attack by a quantum computer. The goal of PQC is to develop cryptographic systems that are secure against both quantum and classical computers, and can interoperate with existing communications protocols and networks.
With the rapid advancements in quantum computing, the need for robust cryptographic solutions that can withstand attacks from future cryptographically-relevant quantum computers has become of greatest importance.
A classical cryptography, as we know it, uses difficult mathematical problems to protect data from non-quantum threats. PQC also relies on mathematical problems, but they're much more difficult than in classical cryptography and can withstand quantum attacks.
The PQC Alliance brings together industry leaders, researchers and developers to address cryptographic security challenges posed by quantum computing, through the production of high-assurance software implementations of standardized algorithms, while supporting the continued development and standardization of new post-quantum algorithms.
The other founding members of PQCA include — Amazon Web Services (AWS), Cisco, Google, IBM, IntellectEU, Keyfactor, Kudelski IoT, NVIDIA, QuSecure, SandboxAQ, and the University of Waterloo. The PQCA will support the advancement of securing sensitive data and communications in the post-quantum era.
The PQCA aims to be the central foundation for organizations and open source projects seeking production-ready libraries, and packages, to support their alignment with U.S. National Security Agency’s Cybersecurity Advisory concerning the Commercial National Security Algorithm Suite 2.0. The PQCA will strive to enable cryptographic agility across the ecosystem for the timelines described therein.
The PQCA will engage in various technical projects to support its objectives, including the development of software for evaluating, prototyping, and deploying new post-quantum algorithms. By providing these software implementations, the foundation seeks to facilitate the practical adoption of post-quantum cryptography across different industries.
The work of the PQCA builds on the foundation laid by many of the founding members over the last decade preparing for the transition to post-quantum cryptography. Several members of the PQCA have played major roles in the standardization of post-quantum cryptography to date, including as co-authors of the first four algorithms selected in the NIST Post-Quantum Cryptography Standardization Project (CRYSTALS-Kyber and CRYSTALS-Dilithium, Falcon, and SPHINCS+).
One of the launch projects of the PQCA is the Open Quantum Safe project, which was founded at the University of Waterloo in 2014 and is one of the world's leading open-source software projects devoted to post-quantum cryptography. The PQCA will also host the new PQ Code Package Project, which will build high-assurance production-ready software implementations of forthcoming post-quantum cryptography standards, starting with the ML-KEM algorithm.
The PQCA welcomes organizations and individuals to get involved and participate. To participate in the Alliance, collaborate with the technical community, and learn more about its mission and initiatives, please visit the PQCA website or GitHub.
A classical cryptography, as we know it, uses difficult mathematical problems to protect data from non-quantum threats. PQC also relies on mathematical problems, but they're much more difficult than in classical cryptography and can withstand quantum attacks.
The PQC Alliance brings together industry leaders, researchers and developers to address cryptographic security challenges posed by quantum computing, through the production of high-assurance software implementations of standardized algorithms, while supporting the continued development and standardization of new post-quantum algorithms.
The other founding members of PQCA include — Amazon Web Services (AWS), Cisco, Google, IBM, IntellectEU, Keyfactor, Kudelski IoT, NVIDIA, QuSecure, SandboxAQ, and the University of Waterloo. The PQCA will support the advancement of securing sensitive data and communications in the post-quantum era.
The PQCA aims to be the central foundation for organizations and open source projects seeking production-ready libraries, and packages, to support their alignment with U.S. National Security Agency’s Cybersecurity Advisory concerning the Commercial National Security Algorithm Suite 2.0. The PQCA will strive to enable cryptographic agility across the ecosystem for the timelines described therein.
The PQCA will engage in various technical projects to support its objectives, including the development of software for evaluating, prototyping, and deploying new post-quantum algorithms. By providing these software implementations, the foundation seeks to facilitate the practical adoption of post-quantum cryptography across different industries.
The work of the PQCA builds on the foundation laid by many of the founding members over the last decade preparing for the transition to post-quantum cryptography. Several members of the PQCA have played major roles in the standardization of post-quantum cryptography to date, including as co-authors of the first four algorithms selected in the NIST Post-Quantum Cryptography Standardization Project (CRYSTALS-Kyber and CRYSTALS-Dilithium, Falcon, and SPHINCS+).
One of the launch projects of the PQCA is the Open Quantum Safe project, which was founded at the University of Waterloo in 2014 and is one of the world's leading open-source software projects devoted to post-quantum cryptography. The PQCA will also host the new PQ Code Package Project, which will build high-assurance production-ready software implementations of forthcoming post-quantum cryptography standards, starting with the ML-KEM algorithm.
The PQCA welcomes organizations and individuals to get involved and participate. To participate in the Alliance, collaborate with the technical community, and learn more about its mission and initiatives, please visit the PQCA website or GitHub.
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