Postkvantumsikre

Postkvantumsikre refers to cryptographic algorithms that are believed to be resistant to attacks by quantum computers. The development of quantum computers poses a significant threat to current public-key cryptography, as algorithms like RSA and ECC, which rely on the difficulty of factoring large numbers or solving the discrete logarithm problem, can be efficiently broken by Shor's algorithm. Post-quantum cryptography aims to develop new cryptographic systems based on mathematical problems that are believed to be hard even for quantum computers.

Several promising approaches to post-quantum cryptography are being researched, including lattice-based cryptography, code-based cryptography, hash-based cryptography, and multivariate polynomial cryptography. These methods rely on different underlying mathematical hard problems, such as the shortest vector problem in lattices or the syndrome decoding problem for codes.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has been leading a standardization process for post-quantum cryptography, evaluating various candidate algorithms. The goal is to transition to these new cryptographic standards before large-scale quantum computers become a reality, ensuring the continued security of digital communications and sensitive data. This transition is a complex undertaking, involving the development of new software, hardware, and protocols. The term "postkvantumsikre" highlights the ongoing effort to secure our digital infrastructure against future quantum threats.