# Post-Quantum Cryptography Encryption algorithms designed to resist attack by both classical and quantum computers. The proactive response to the threat that [[Shor's Algorithm]] running on a future quantum computer could break RSA, ECC, and most current public-key cryptography — rendering encrypted communications, financial transactions, and classified data vulnerable. NIST standardized the first PQC algorithms in August 2024: CRYSTALS-Kyber (key encapsulation) and CRYSTALS-Dilithium (digital signatures), both based on lattice mathematics that is believed to be hard for quantum computers to crack. The global transition from current encryption to PQC is a multi-decade infrastructure project comparable in scope to the Y2K remediation — every system that uses public-key cryptography needs to be updated. The urgency comes from [[Harvest Now Decrypt Later]]: adversaries intercepting encrypted data today can store it and decrypt it once quantum computers are capable. Data with long-term sensitivity (state secrets, personal health records, financial data) is already at risk even though cryptographically relevant quantum computers don't yet exist. This is why the NSA, CISA, and allied intelligence agencies are pushing for immediate PQC adoption despite the quantum computer itself being years away. ## See Also - [[Shor's Algorithm]] — the quantum threat PQC defends against - [[Harvest Now Decrypt Later]] — the present-tense urgency driver - [[Quantum Computing]] — the full concept - [[Technology Lexicon]] — the full vocabulary (quantum computing section) - [[Cybersecurity Lexicon]] — the broader security context