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How We Are Protecting Against the Quantum Apocalypse

They're doing it a little differently this time.

In the fourth episode of our five-part Quantum Computing/Quantum Apocalypse series, Alan Grau, VP of IoT and Embedded Solutions with Sectigo, discusses what is being done to protect against the quantum apocalypse.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is a government agency currently working to define standards for cryptographic systems. Quantum safe algorithms will be different from past encryption because the candidate algorithms use new mathematical approaches that differ from legacy security techniques.

NIST's Post-Quantum Cryptography program will create a new set of encryption algorithms that can withstand quantum computing attacks. The agency is working with industry experts, academics, and research groups invited to help create new standard algorithms. 

The agency started with many candidate algorithms and recently announced a set of finalists that could become standardized. As NIST approaches the final selection phase, the first set of algorithms for quantum-safe computing could be available as soon as 2022, which means the industry could quickly start implementing specific protections. 

According to Grau, once the industry has standards and knows that they are widely used and commercially viable, they will be used in broad applications. 

Previous Episodes: 

Ep. 1: Is the Quantum Apocalypse a Hoax?

Ep. 2: How Quantum Computing Threatens Industrial Device Security

Ep. 3: Industrial OEMs Need to Act Now to Protect Against the Quantum Apocalypse

Next Episode: 

Ep. 5: Hacking the Machines that Make the Machines

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