Post-Quantum Cryptography Overview and Digital Credentials

Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) is a relatively modern area of cryptography that is focused on the development of cryptographic algorithms that are ‘secure’ against the computation power of a quantum computer. NIST began a competition in 2017 that called for the submission of PQC algorithms for standardization. About a month ago NIST announced the standards for three PQC algorithms. These algorithms are based on the lattice hardness problem known as the learning with errors problem. During this talk we can go through an overview of other types of PQC algorithms, which include code based, hash based, and others. We will also discuss the status of the continuing NIST standardization competition.

Furthermore, I will describe a project in which we, in collaboration with OU, are implementing a hybrid cryptographic algorithm within a self-sovereign identity stack (digital credential wallet and stack). For those interested in the idea of using digital credentials, there is a possibility to take part in an online workshop that we will be organizing (around October-November) in which you should be able to learn and give feedback with respect to the practical use of digital credentials in every day life.