Hackers Beware: U.S. Releases First Set Of Algorithms To Fight Quantum Computing Hacking

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In a historic announcement today, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) shared the first set of algorithms designed specifically to guard systems and networks against attacks by quantum computers. These computers significantly expand the amount of information that a typical computer can process, which provides them with a leg up over the security products used today since these are designed for traditional computing systems. NIST's announcement was part of an eight-year-long project that solicited algorithms worldwide before deciding which software to use to protect from quantum computers.

NIST's Quantum Security Algorithms Seek To Outpace Development Of Systems Capable Of Defeating Current Standards

The dependence of the world's internet traffic, financial systems, and public and private communications infrastructure depends on algorithms that prevent unauthorized users from reading private information destined only for a select number of parties. However, these algorithms, which secure trillions of dollars for industries from nefarious actors, have been designed to withstand attacks from traditional computers, which cannot match the computational requirements needed to crack the software.

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With quantum computing, researchers worry that systems such as Grover's and Shor's algorithms can bypass nearly all of today's protection software. NIST's latest announcement seeks to resolve some of these concerns, as the department has announced three new algorithms designed to protect data from attacks from quantum computers. Crucially, NIST outlines that the algorithms are ready for use today. They are shared on its website, with each package containing the software code and the instructions to