The Linux Foundation recently launched the Post-Quantum Cryptography Alliance (PQCA), a collaborative effort aimed at advancing and facilitating the adoption of post-quantum cryptography in response to emerging quantum computing threats.
This alliance brings together various interested parties, including industry leaders, researchers and developers, focusing on creating software implementations of standardized algorithms with high security. The initiative is also dedicated to supporting the development and standardization of new post-quantum cryptographic methods, aligning with US National Security Agency guidelines to ensure cryptographic security against quantum computing threats.
PQCA aims to serve as a key resource for open source organizations and projects in search of production-ready libraries and packages, fostering cryptographic agility in anticipation of future quantum computing opportunities.
Founding members include AWS, Cisco, Google, IBM, IntellectEU, Keyfactor, Kudelski IoT, NVIDIA, QuSecure, SandboxAQ and the University of Waterloo.
The goals of the alliance include the development of software for the evaluation, prototyping and implementation of new post-quantum algorithms, thus promoting the practical application of these cryptographic solutions in various sectors.
PQCA’s key initiatives include technical projects such as the Open Quantum Safe project, launched at the University of Waterloo, which is among the leading open source software projects for post-quantum cryptography.
Additionally, the PQCA plans to launch a PQ code suite project aimed at creating production-ready software implementations of upcoming high-security post-quantum cryptographic standards, starting with the ML-KEM algorithm. By inviting organizations and individuals to participate, the PQCA is poised to play a key role in the transition and standardization of post-quantum cryptography, providing enhanced security measures to meet advanced quantum computing technology.