Cryptography

Encrypting for a quantum future

Cryptography secures our electronic communications. Cryptographic protocols in place today are believed to be secure against attacks using classical computers, but if an adversary builds a large-scale quantum computer, they will be able to break all currently deployed cryptosystems.

To prepare for this, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is currently running a public process to standardize quantum-secure cryptosystems. These systems will be resistant to both classical and quantum adversaries. CCI SWVA programs are generalizing, improving, and implementing quantum-secure cryptosystems.

CCI SWVA cryptography research programs focus on:

• Developing efficient hardware implementations of cryptoanalysis and building out resilience to side-channel attacks.
• Bridging the gap between theoretical results and applications of polar coding, a new communication paradigm that supports 5G technology.
• Developing cryptographic tools, algorithms, and learning programs to ensure data integrity and protection from quantum threats.

News

• Saddling up cryptosystems for a quantum showdown
• Program fuels development of new quantum-aware cybersecurity strategies
• Commonwealth Cyber Initiative researchers hone cryptographic algorithms to stand against powerful quantum threat