Status report on Post Quantum Cryptography Standardization

There is a significant probability that, in the coming decades, a large quantum computer can be built. When this happens, much of the cryptography that currently secures communications will have to be replaced by new, quantum resistant, cryptographic standards. For the last several years, NIST has been embarked on a process of selecting new, quantum-resistant, algorithms for public-key cryptography. These algorithms will be the basis for the new standards. I will describe the quantum computer threat and the measures we are taking to address it. Then I will report on the current status of our standardization effort. Rene Peralta - Scientist with the Computer Security Division at NIST