• Quantum computers can break current encryption (RSA, ECC, DH), risking all digital data.
• Post-Quantum Cryptography introduces quantum-resistant algorithms like Kyber and Dilithium.
• PQC is complex and resource-heavy, but early implementation is critical for future security.

As quantum computing edges closer to reality, the foundation of modern encryption RSA, ECC, and DH is under threat. These algorithms rely on mathematical problems that quantum computers could solve in seconds, rendering current security protocols obsolete. This looming risk has ignited a global movement toward Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC), a new cryptographic paradigm designed to withstand quantum attacks.

Sunil Gupta, Co-founder & CEO, QNu Labs says, “Quantum computers are no longer a distant threat but an imminent reality and once they mature, they will break today’s classical encryption in seconds, leaving no data, whether at rest or in motion, safe.

The Silent Quantum Risk

Quantum computers, leveraging qubits (quantum bit), threaten to break the math that underpins today’s encryption. Experts warn that a ‘Q-Day’ (Quantum day) when a quantum machine can defeat RSA/ECC could arrive within the next decade. This would nullify the security of email, VPNs, and e-Commerce, prompting a ‘harvest now, decrypt later’ risk (attackers might collect encrypted data today to crack with future quantum power.

To stay ahead, the security world is reinventing encryption, replacing vulnerable algorithms with quantum-resistant ones, a field called post-quantum cryptography (PQC). Governments and agencies (NIST, NSA, CISA...) now emphasize ‘quantum readine’ for example, jointly urging organizations to start migrating to PQC immediately. As one IBM executive put it, building a ‘quantum-safe future’ is critical even as quantum computers advance.

The Next Chapter of Cryptography

Since 2016 NIST has led a global effort to standardize quantum-resistant algorithms. In August 2024 NIST finalized its first PQC standards. These define entirely new encryption tools:

• ML-KEM (CRYSTALS-Kyber): a lattice-based key-encapsulation mechanism for secure key exchange
• ML-DSA (CRYSTALS-Dilithium): a lattice-based digital signature scheme
• SLH-DSA (SPHINCS+): a stateless hash-based signature algorithm serving as a backup standard

A fourth algorithm, FN-DSA (FALCON), will be added soon. Together these new FIPS standards (203–205) are ‘built for the future’ and ready for immediate use. NIST explicitly urges organizations to begin integrating them now ‘full integration will take time’, notes the standards project lead.

In short, PQC replaces RSA/ECC with wholly new primitives, laying a fresh cryptographic foundation for a post-quantum world.

Real-World Success Stories

Case Study 1: AWS's Hybrid Post-Quantum Key Exchange

Overview:  Amazon Web Services (AWS) has been leading in the implementation of PQC in its cloud services. In response to the possible risks of quantum computing, AWS began to roll out hybrid post-quantum key exchange standards in Transport Layer Security (TLS) in a number of its services.

Implementation: AWS Key Management Service (KMS), AWS Certificate Manager (ACM), and AWS Secrets Manager endpoints currently support Module-Lattice-Based Key-Encapsulation Mechanism (ML-KEM) to use hybrid post-quantum key agreement. This interface secures any information sent via such services to withstand any next-generation quantum attack.

Outcome: PQC standards implementation in AWS services reflects the long-term dedication of this company to the safety of data. It offers greater protection to the customers, ensuring that their data remains secure even in the face of advancing quantum technologies.

Case Study 2: Google's Implementation of PQC in Chrome

Overview: Google has been proactive in integrating PQC into its products to safeguard user data against quantum threats. Google introduced the ML-KEM standard into its cryptography library, BoringSSL, which is used by the Chrome browser, as part of this effort.

Implementation: The integration of ML-KEM to BoringSSL will enable Chrome to implement hybrid key exchange schemes, which include a mixture of standard elliptic curve Diffie-Hellman (ECDH) and post-quantum algorithms. This two-fold strategy would make sure that data sent through Chrome is not vulnerable even when quantum computers achieve the ability to crack the existing encryption techniques.

Outcome: By adopting PQC standards, Google has improved the security of its browser, which will offer the user a stronger defense against the possible quantum attacks. This will serve as a model to other technology firms as they prepare to face a quantum-safe future.

Also Read: Top 5 Indian Quantum Startups Making Global Waves

The Challenges Ahead

Why is PQC adoption so slow?

The answer lies in complexity. Post-quantum algorithms are heavier than today’s, they use larger keys, bigger signatures, and more computation.

For example, a Cisco analysis notes that a PQC TLS handshake (hybrid with Kyber) can increase latency by up to 30% on slower networks (though on high-bandwidth links the impact is usually under 5%). Similarly, lattice-based schemes like Dilithium incur more CPU work, and some code-based schemes have public keys hundreds of kilobytes long - far larger than RSA or ECC keys. These factors strain bandwidth, storage and power, especially in mobile or IoT devices.

Other hurdles are organizational. Upgrading to PQC requires overhauling core infrastructure HSMs, TLS libraries, VPNs, and embedded devices and often running systems in hybrid mode (old + new algorithms) for years. Crypto agility is key, systems must quickly swap algorithms via updates.

Experts recommend crypto audits, inventorying all cryptographic assets, piloting PQC in non-critical areas, and gradual rollout. Regulatory and financial mandates (GDPR, NIS2, EU DORA) increasingly expect quantum readiness. The transition is complex, so starting early is critical years before Q-Day is better than too late.

Wrapping It Up!

Quantum computing is not a distant threat it is a ticking clock. Post-quantum cryptography is not just new mathematics, it is the new foundation of digital trust. The quantum era isn’t waiting, organizations that act now will shape a secure future, while those that delay risk building on broken ground.

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