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NIST is preparing to publish standards that will change the approach to cybersecurity around the world.
An important event is being prepared in the digital world: National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) The United States plans to introduce a new set of tools to protect data from future quantum attacks. Three new security algorithms will soon be published to help governments and companies protect themselves from quantum threats.
NIST's move comes in response to growing concerns that quantum computers will be able to crack codes that have remained invulnerable to traditional computers for decades. In today's digital society, the protection of encrypted data is extremely important for everyone-from ordinary citizens to large corporations and government agencies.
Some industries, such as finance and telecommunications, are already actively preparing for the new standards. However, as Dustin Moody, head of the post-quantum cryptography standardization process at NIST, noted, many are still waiting for large-scale and costly changes.
NIST, which is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, is preparing to approve three standards proposed for discussion last year. These algorithms are the result of collaboration with leading technology companies, banks, and research institutes.
US federal agencies will be required to use the new algorithms. Although this is not mandatory for private companies, many of them, both in the United States and abroad, traditionally follow the NIST guidelines in the field of cryptography.
Quantum computers, with their incredible processing power, can perform tasks that are not available to traditional computers. Unlike conventional machines that use binary bits, quantum computers work with qubits that can be in two states simultaneously. This allows them to perform complex tasks, such as hacking outdated data protection methods, much faster.
Although the commercialization of quantum computers is still ahead, their development is already raising concerns that they will be able to crack traditional cryptography methods in the future. NIST's work is aimed at preparing for this moment. The standardization process involved researchers from more than 30 countries, underscoring the global interest in combating cyberterrorism and ransomware.
Experts believe that the new NIST standards will be a catalyst for action. Some companies have already started adapting, while others may join later after seeing the impact of the new standards. For example, in February, Apple announced that their iMessage system is now protected using a new post-quantum cryptographic protocol.
The transition to new cryptographic methods is not without difficulties. The lack of a specific deadline for the threat of quantum computers makes the problem less acute compared to last year's IT problems, such as the "millennium bug". However, the threat is already there, as hackers can steal data now and store it until there are technologies that can crack it.
The publication of NIST standards will strengthen the debate about the best practices for next-generation cryptography. Some researchers are developing ways to use quantum mechanics as a defensive tool. One of these methods is quantum key distribution, which uses the phenomenon of quantum entanglement.
The advantage of this method is that attempts to intercept communications will be detected immediately. However, the technique also has drawbacks: the quantum communication element is protected, but the equipment used to transmit and receive data may be vulnerable.
Experts note that next-generation cryptography will include a combination of classical and quantum methods, depending on the needs of users. The completion of NIST algorithms will be an important step in global preparations for the new era of cryptography and should stimulate activity among those who have so far "stood on the sidelines", as noted by Luke Ibbetson, head of research and development at the British telecommunications company Vodafone.
Source
An important event is being prepared in the digital world: National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) The United States plans to introduce a new set of tools to protect data from future quantum attacks. Three new security algorithms will soon be published to help governments and companies protect themselves from quantum threats.
NIST's move comes in response to growing concerns that quantum computers will be able to crack codes that have remained invulnerable to traditional computers for decades. In today's digital society, the protection of encrypted data is extremely important for everyone-from ordinary citizens to large corporations and government agencies.
Some industries, such as finance and telecommunications, are already actively preparing for the new standards. However, as Dustin Moody, head of the post-quantum cryptography standardization process at NIST, noted, many are still waiting for large-scale and costly changes.
NIST, which is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, is preparing to approve three standards proposed for discussion last year. These algorithms are the result of collaboration with leading technology companies, banks, and research institutes.
US federal agencies will be required to use the new algorithms. Although this is not mandatory for private companies, many of them, both in the United States and abroad, traditionally follow the NIST guidelines in the field of cryptography.
Quantum computers, with their incredible processing power, can perform tasks that are not available to traditional computers. Unlike conventional machines that use binary bits, quantum computers work with qubits that can be in two states simultaneously. This allows them to perform complex tasks, such as hacking outdated data protection methods, much faster.
Although the commercialization of quantum computers is still ahead, their development is already raising concerns that they will be able to crack traditional cryptography methods in the future. NIST's work is aimed at preparing for this moment. The standardization process involved researchers from more than 30 countries, underscoring the global interest in combating cyberterrorism and ransomware.
Experts believe that the new NIST standards will be a catalyst for action. Some companies have already started adapting, while others may join later after seeing the impact of the new standards. For example, in February, Apple announced that their iMessage system is now protected using a new post-quantum cryptographic protocol.
The transition to new cryptographic methods is not without difficulties. The lack of a specific deadline for the threat of quantum computers makes the problem less acute compared to last year's IT problems, such as the "millennium bug". However, the threat is already there, as hackers can steal data now and store it until there are technologies that can crack it.
The publication of NIST standards will strengthen the debate about the best practices for next-generation cryptography. Some researchers are developing ways to use quantum mechanics as a defensive tool. One of these methods is quantum key distribution, which uses the phenomenon of quantum entanglement.
The advantage of this method is that attempts to intercept communications will be detected immediately. However, the technique also has drawbacks: the quantum communication element is protected, but the equipment used to transmit and receive data may be vulnerable.
Experts note that next-generation cryptography will include a combination of classical and quantum methods, depending on the needs of users. The completion of NIST algorithms will be an important step in global preparations for the new era of cryptography and should stimulate activity among those who have so far "stood on the sidelines", as noted by Luke Ibbetson, head of research and development at the British telecommunications company Vodafone.
Source
