The UK's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has published official guidance on moving to post-quantum cryptography (PQC) to protect organisations from the threats that may arise with the development of quantum computers.
The UK's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has published official guidance on moving to post-quantum cryptography (PQC) to protect organisations from the threats that may arise with the development of quantum computers.
A key requirement of the NCSC is to start preparing for the transition now, as quantum computing could render traditional cryptographic methods obsolete and vulnerable, the center's report says . Organizations are encouraged to adhere to a clearly defined timetable for implementing post-quantum algorithms, which should be completed by 2035.
The NCSC has included organizations working with confidential information and critical infrastructure in the risk zones: the financial sector (banks, insurance companies), energy (electricity network operators, oil and gas companies), transport and logistics (airports, railways), government agencies and military departments.
The NCSC advises organizations to start analyzing their cryptographic infrastructure today and assess which data may be vulnerable in the future. It is important to collaborate with technology providers and follow international security standards.
Quantum computers may not be widely available yet, but technological progress in this area is growing rapidly. You can learn more about current trends in quantum computing in our extensive article.
