July 7, 2022
The Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has selected four encryption algorithms to withstand future quantum computer attacks.
The four encryption algorithms include CRYSTALS-Kyber, CRYSTALS-Dilithium, FALCON and SPHINCS+. The four algorithms were created by experts from several countries and institutions.
The algorithms are designed with two main objectives associated with encryption use. This include general encryption and digital signatories. General encryption is used to protect information exchanged over a public network, while digital signatures are used for identity authentication.
NIST divided the algorithms into the two targets and selected CRYSTALS-Kyber algorithm under general encryption and the other three CRYSTALS-Dilithium, FALCON and SPHINCS + under digital signatories.
General encryption is used when secure websites are accessed. Among the advantages CRYSTALS-Kyber offers in this respect are small encryption keys that can be easily exchanged between two parties, and the speed of operation.
The sources for this piece include an article in TechRepublic.
