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WHAT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANIES NEED TO KNOW BEFORE Q-DAYWHAT COMMUNICATIONS
COMPANIES NEED TO KNOW BEFORE Q-DAY

NIST standardized three algorithms for post-quantum cryptography. What does that
mean for the information and communications technology (ICT) industry?

Aritra Banerjee, Senior Research Scientist, Nokia

October 3, 2024

4 Min Read
Source: Cynthia Lee via Alamy Stock Photo


COMMENTARY

After a grueling eight years of testing, the National Institute of Standards and
Technology (NIST) has finalized the first three algorithms that will form the
backbone of the world's strategy to counter the potential threats of quantum
computing.

Given that enterprising hackers are likely already harvesting and storing
massive volumes of encrypted sensitive data for future exploitation, this is
welcome news. We have the first post-quantum cryptography (PQC) algorithms to
defend against the inevitable attacks on "Q-Day," when a cryptographically
relevant quantum computer (CRQC) comes online.

Still, having these NIST-approved algorithms is just the first step. For the
information and communications technology (ICT) industry, transitioning to a
quantum-safe infrastructure is not a straightforward task; numerous challenges
must be overcome. It requires a combination of engineering efforts, proactive
assessment, evaluation of available technologies, and a careful approach to
product development.


THE POST-QUANTUM TRANSITION

PQC algorithms are relatively new, and with no CRQC available to fully test, we
cannot yet achieve 100% certainty of their success. Yet we know that any
asymmetric cryptographic algorithm based on integer factorization, finite field
discrete logarithms, or elliptic curve discrete logarithms will be vulnerable to
attacks from a CRQC using Shor's algorithm. That means key agreement schemes
(Diffie-Hellman or Elliptic Curve Diffie-Hellman), key transport (RSA
encryption) mechanisms, and digital signatures must be replaced.

Conversely, symmetric-key cryptographic algorithms are generally not directly
affected by quantum computing advancements and can continue to be used, with
potentially straightforward increases to key size to stay ahead of
quantum-boosted brute-forcing attacks.


HYBRID APPROACH TO SECURITY

The migration to PQC is unique in the history of modern digital cryptography in
that neither traditional nor post-quantum algorithms are fully trusted to
protect data for the required lifetimes. During the transition from traditional
to post-quantum algorithms, we will need to use both algorithm types.

Defense and government institutions have already begun integrating these
algorithms into the security protocols of specific applications and services due
to the long-term sensitivity of their data. Private companies have also kicked
off initiatives. For instance, Apple is using Kyber to create post-quantum
encryption in iMessage, while Amazon is using Kyber in AWS.

Large-scale proliferation of PQC is coming, as global standards bodies, such as
3GPP and IETF, have already begun incorporating them into the security protocols
of future standards releases. For instance, the IETF-designed Transport Layer
Security (TLS) and Extensible Authentication Protocol-Authentication and Key
Agreement (EAP-AKA) — two of the most widely used protocols across 3GPP
networks— will both incorporate PQC.

This kind of standardization is key for industries like telecommunications and
Internet services, where hundreds of different companies are providing the
different hardware, device, and software components of a network. Like any
security protocol, PQC must be implemented consistently across all exposed
elements in the network chain because any link that isn't quantum-safe will
become the focal point of any data harvesting attack.

Over the next few years, we will see more and more PQC-enhanced products enter
the market. At first, they will likely use hybrid approaches to security, using
both classical and post-quantum encryption schemes, as Apple and Amazon have
done. But as quantum-security technologies advance and are further tested in the
market, PQC will likely replace classical asymmetric encryption methods.

Because asymmetric algorithms are largely used for secure communications between
organizations or endpoints that may not have previously interacted, a
significant amount of coordination in the ecosystem is needed. Such transitions
are some of the most complicated in the tech industry and will require staged
migrations.


READY FOR Q-DAY

PQC isn't the only way to protect against a quantum attack, as quantum threats
will only increase in sophistication. It's vital to deploy a defense-in-depth
strategy — one that includes physics-based solutions like preshared keys with
symmetric distribution and quantum key distribution (QKD) — but PQC will be a
powerful security tool.

Attention to interoperability will be key here, as crypto agility will ease the
migration to pure quantum-safe algorithms in the future. Some companies are
already leaning toward open source rather than proprietary code, which can help
to avoid a bumpy upgrade path in future for security products. As well, this
crypto agility will ensure that technologies being designed now for inclusion in
next-generation/6G products will also have backward-compatibility with 5G and
other earlier standards.

Now that we have the essential first algorithms to build our arsenal against
quantum computing threats, the next steps for the ICT industry will be critical.
They must adopt hybrid solutions now to combat harvest-now-decrypt-later
attacks; embrace crypto agility, interoperability, and rigorous testing; and
deploy a defense-in-depth strategy. By following this strategy, we will be well
on track to ensuring our long-term security and saving the world from potential
disaster when Q-Day comes.




ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Aritra Banerjee

Senior Research Scientist, Nokia

Aritra Banerjee is a Senior Research Scientist in Nokia Standards leading
quantum-safe standardization efforts. His research interests span cryptography,
quantum technologies, security, privacy-preserving technologies, and machine
learning trends.

See more from Aritra Banerjee
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