# post-quantum cryptography

> cryptography that is secure against quantum computers

**Wikidata**: [Q7233576](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7233576)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-quantum_cryptography)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/post-quantum-cryptography

## Summary
Post-quantum cryptography is cryptographic techniques designed to remain secure against quantum computers, which threaten traditional cryptographic methods. It represents a specialized subclass of cryptography focused on developing algorithms resistant to quantum computational attacks.

## Key Facts
- Post-quantum cryptography is defined as cryptography that is secure against quantum computers
- It is classified as a subclass of cryptography, which is the practice and study of secure communication techniques
- Common aliases include PQC, PQCrypto, quantum-proof cryptography, quantum-safe cryptography, post-quantum crypto, postquantum cryptography, quantum-resistant cryptography, and language-specific variants
- It is explicitly differentiated from quantum cryptography, which serves a different purpose and approach
- Notable related implementations include liboqs (a free software library) and Iron Edge Gateway (a post-quantum secure router with SDN and ML-KEM)
- Its short name is PQC
- It has a Microsoft Academic ID (discontinued): 108277079
- It has a freebase ID: /m/0bhc70l
- The Wikipedia article has 19 sitelinks across multiple languages including ar, ca, cs, de, en, es, et, fa, fi, and fr

## FAQs
### Q: What is post-quantum cryptography?
A: Post-quantum cryptography refers to cryptographic algorithms and techniques that are secure against attacks by quantum computers. Unlike traditional cryptography, these algorithms are designed to remain secure even when quantum computers become capable of breaking current encryption standards.

### Q: How is post-quantum cryptography different from quantum cryptography?
A: Post-quantum cryptography focuses on algorithms resistant to quantum computer attacks, while quantum cryptography uses quantum mechanical principles for secure communication. They address different aspects of security against different types of threats.

### Q: Why do we need post-quantum cryptography?
A: As quantum computers advance, they pose a threat to traditional cryptographic systems. Post-quantum cryptography provides security assurance in a future where quantum computers could potentially break widely used encryption methods like RSA and ECC.

### Q: What are some real-world implementations of post-quantum cryptography?
A: Examples include liboqs, a free software library implementing quantum-safe cryptographic algorithms, and Iron Edge Gateway, a post-quantum secure router with SDN and ML-KEM developed by Entropya for computer security and networking applications.

## Why It Matters
Post-quantum cryptography addresses a critical security challenge posed by the development of quantum computers, which threaten to break widely used cryptographic systems that underpin internet security, financial transactions, and data protection. Without quantum-resistant alternatives, sensitive communications could become vulnerable as quantum computing advances. The development and implementation of post-quantum cryptographic algorithms is essential for maintaining long-term security in digital infrastructure and ensuring that encrypted communications remain confidential and authentic. Organizations and governments worldwide are actively researching and transitioning to these new standards to prepare for the quantum computing era.

## Notable For
- Being a specialized subclass of cryptography focused specifically on quantum resistance
- Having explicit differentiation from quantum cryptography, which represents a different cryptographic approach
- Implementing practical security solutions such as the Iron Edge Gateway post-quantum secure router and liboqs software library
- Supporting free software development through libraries for quantum-safe cryptographic algorithms
- Maintaining comprehensive coverage across multiple languages in Wikipedia with articles in 10 different languages

## Body
### Definition and Classification
Post-quantum cryptography is cryptography that is secure against quantum computers. It is classified as a subclass of cryptography, which is defined as the practice and study of secure communication techniques. The field represents a response to the potential threat posed by quantum computers to traditional cryptographic algorithms.

### Terminology and Aliases
The entity is known by several aliases including PQC, PQCrypto, quantum-proof cryptography, quantum-safe cryptography, post-quantum crypto, postquantum cryptography, quantum-resistant cryptography, and language-specific variants such as criptografia post cuantica, criptografía post cuántica, and criptografía resistente a la computación cuántica. Its short name is PQC.

### Related Entities and Implementations
Post-quantum cryptography has related implementations including liboqs, which is described as a free software library implementing quantum-safe cryptographic algorithms. Another related entity is the Iron Edge Gateway, a post-quantum secure router with SDN and ML-KEM developed by Entropya, operating in the industries of computer security and computer networking.

### Technical Specifications and Identifiers
The entity has several technical identifiers including a freebase ID (/m/0bhc70l), a Microsoft Academic ID (discontinued, 108277079), and a KBpedia ID (PostQuantumCryptography). It has a golden_id with the value "Post-quantum_cryptography-WG6PJD" as of September 10, 2022.

### Digital Presence and References
Post-quantum cryptography has a Wikipedia page titled "Post-quantum cryptography" with 19 sitelinks. The Wikipedia page exists in multiple languages including ar, ca, cs, de, en, es, et, fa, fi, and fr. It also has a Niconicopedia ID as "耐量子コンピューター暗号" and an image reference showing a screenshot of Cloudflare Post-Quantum Key Agreement on Firefox.

### Relationship to Other Cryptographic Methods
Post-quantum cryptography is explicitly differentiated from quantum cryptography, which is listed as a different entity. It is positioned in opposition to cryptanalysis, specifically by quantum computers, as indicated by the qualifier "quantum computer" to the relationship P2283.

### Current Status and Applications
The field is actively developing, with GitHub topics including post-quantum-cryptography, post-quantum, postquantum, and quantum-safe-cryptography. Its main category in taxonomies is "Category:Post-quantum cryptography," indicating its established presence in knowledge organization systems.

## References

1. [Source](https://golden.com/wiki/Post-quantum_cryptography-WG6PJD)
2. KBpedia
3. [OpenAlex](https://docs.openalex.org/download-snapshot/snapshot-data-format)