Types of Post-quantum Cryptography:Advancements and Applications in Post-quantum Cryptography
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Post-quantum cryptography (PQC) refers to the development of new cryptographic algorithms that are secure against the threat of quantum computers. As quantum computers have the potential to break existing cryptographic systems, the need for PQC has become increasingly important. This article will discuss the various types of PQC, their advancements, and applications in various fields.
Types of Post-quantum Cryptography
1. Lattice-based cryptography
Lattice-based cryptography is a class of PQC that uses lattice problems, which are NP-hard optimization problems, as the basis for security. These problems are difficult to solve efficiently on a classical computer, but become easy on a quantum computer. Examples of lattice-based cryptography include Multilinear maps, Lattice reversion, and SIDH (Secure Identity-based Cryptography).
Advancements in Lattice-based cryptography
a) Multilinear maps: Multilinear maps are a class of lattice-based cryptographic primitives that use multilinear combinations as the security basis. They have shown promising security properties against quantum attacks and have been proposed as replacement for existing cryptographic primitives such as Diffie-Hellman key exchange and ElGamal encryption.
b) Lattice reversion: Lattice reversion is an algorithm that uses the hardness of lattice problems to generate secure keys and cryptographic primitives. It has been shown to be secure against both classical and quantum attacks.
c) SIDH: SIDH (Secure Identity-based Cryptography) is a protocol that allows secure communication without sharing any private information. It has been shown to be secure against both classical and quantum attacks.
2. Hash-based cryptography
Hash-based cryptography uses secure one-way hash functions as the primary cryptographic primitive. These functions are designed to be difficult to invert, but easy to compute. Examples of hash-based cryptography include BLAKE (Block cipher design), SHA-3 (Secure Hash Algorithm-3), and FALCON (Fast and Lightweight Cryptographic algorithm).
Advancements in Hash-based cryptography
a) BLAKE: BLAKE is a block cipher design that combines the security of a hash function with the efficiency of a block cipher. It has been shown to be secure against both classical and quantum attacks.
b) SHA-3: SHA-3 is a successor to the widely used SHA-2 family of hash functions. It has been designed to be secure against quantum attacks and has been approved as a new secure hash algorithm by the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
c) FALCON: FALCON is a family of fast and lightweight cryptographic algorithms that include both hash functions and cryptographic primitives. It has been designed to be secure against both classical and quantum attacks.
3. Standardization and adoption
As the threat of quantum computing becomes more real, the need for PQC has become increasingly important. Many organizations, including the US National Security Agency (NSA), the US NIST, and the European Union's European Committee for Standardization (CEN), have begun to standardize and adopt PQC algorithms.
Post-quantum cryptography is an essential part of the cybersecurity infrastructure, as it provides a means to protect communication and data against the threat of quantum computers. The various types of PQC, such as lattice-based cryptography and hash-based cryptography, have shown promising advancements and have been adopted by various organizations. As the development of quantum computing continues, it is crucial to invest in the research and development of PQC to ensure the security of our digital infrastructure.