Do you know lattice-based cryptographic methods? Or multivariate signatures? If not, then you should look into them, because these and a few other methods are currently on the rise. They belong to the so-called “post-quantum cryptography”. This term covers those crypto methods that protect against the great sword of Damocles that currently threatens cryptology: quantum computers.
A quantum computer uses the effects of quantum physics and thus functions completely differently than a conventional computer. A mature quantum computer could decrypt almost all asymmetric crypto methods currently in use with little effort. Fortunately, the devices of this type available so far are still far from being practically usable. But technological development is advancing, and in just a few years, powerful quantum computers could become a reality, rendering large portions of crypto implementations in use around the world useless overnight. To pre-empt such a digital apocalypse, one should already start working on those crypto methods that cannot be cracked with quantum computers – i.e., post-quantum cryptography.
Unfortunately, the various post-quantum methods are mathematically extremely demanding and thus not easy to understand. cryptovision has therefore made it its business for years to explain the subject in a clear way. In articles and lectures, the company’s employees present their audience with easy-to-understand descriptions of the most important post-quantum methods – based on vivid analogies and illustrated with comic drawings. Among others, the RSA conference in San Francisco and the 44CON hacker conference in London included such a lecture in their program.
Now cryptovision has taken another step in this direction: As of today, a whitepaper on post-quantum cryptography is available for download on the company’s web site. It explains the general post-quantum basics as well as the most important algorithms – including lattice-based crypto methods and multivariate signatures.
Post-quantum cryptography is undoubtedly a challenging topic. With cryptovision’s new whitepaper you will find a good introduction.
Whitepaper “Post-Quanten-Kryptografe” (German): https://www.cryptovision.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Whitepaper_Post_Quantum_Kryptografie_210421.pdf