A new tech consortium known as the Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) Coalition has been launched with a primary mission to drive the adoption of post-quantum cryptography. The coalition boasts an impressive lineup of founding members, including tech giants like Microsoft, IBM Quantum, MITRE, PQShield, SandboxAQ, and the University of Waterloo.
Their collective goal is to encourage the integration of post-quantum cryptography into both commercial and open source technologies. This initiative is in response to the growing concern that quantum computing poses a significant threat to Shor’s algorithm, which forms the foundation of modern asymmetric encryption methods.
While fully functional quantum computers are not yet a reality, experts have been emphasizing the potential risks to national and economic security if such technology falls into the wrong hands. To address this, the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) recently released a new draft set of PQC standards, which includes several PQC algorithms designed to resist attacks from quantum computing.
Members of the PQC Coalition have expressed their commitment to collaborate with NIST and the National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (NCCoE) PQC Migration Project. Their aim is to provide technology solutions and guidance to the broader community, recognizing the urgency of preparing for the era of quantum computing to ensure the security of sensitive data and communications.
Charles Clancy, the chief futurist and senior vice president at MITRE, emphasized the importance of government and industry working together urgently in response to the impending arrival of quantum computers.
The PQC Coalition’s formation represents a proactive step in addressing the opportunities and threats posed by quantum computing to national and economic security, signaling a concerted effort to fortify cryptographic systems against quantum threats and vulnerabilities.
