NIST Advances Nine Post-Quantum Signature Algorithms to Third Round

Insider Brief

National Institute of Standards and Technology advanced nine digital signature algorithms to the third round of its post-quantum cryptography standardization process as part of a broader effort to prepare cybersecurity systems for future quantum computing threats.

The third-round candidates include FAEST, HAWK, MAYO, MQOM, QR-UOV, SDitH, SNOVA, SQIsign and UOV, with the evaluation phase expected to last about two years and allow technical updates from submission teams.

NIST launched the additional signature initiative in 2022 to diversify beyond lattice-based cryptography and identify quantum-resistant digital signature schemes with alternative mathematical foundations, shorter signatures and faster verification speeds.

The U.S. government is moving to widen the pool of post-quantum cryptography tools as concerns grow that future quantum computers could eventually break parts of today’s encryption systems.