Assessing the Quantum Readiness of Cryptographic Standards: From Survey to Secure Recommendations

Abstract

Cryptography is essential for securing digital data and communication. However, traditional cryptographic algorithms are vulnerable to being compromised by quantum computing. As a result, there is a growing need for “quantum-ready” cryptography standards, which are becoming increasingly important in standardization and interoperability efforts. This paper provides a comprehensive survey of the initiatives undertaken by international standardization organizations in developing and implementing cryptographic standards, including block ciphers, stream ciphers, hash and MAC functions, key establishment mechanisms, digital signatures, lightweight cryptography, entity authentication, public key infrastructure, and communication protocols. We thoroughly evaluate both classical and post-quantum cryptographic standards and propose appropriate cryptographic recommendations for each, along with a hybridization analysis of cryptographic primitives to ensure backward compatibility and secure interface integration. The findings emphasize the importance of ongoing research and formal standardization of quantum-resistant cryptography to protect sensitive information in the post-quantum era. Additionally, we present an overview of cryptographic standards worldwide, across various countries.

Keywords: Cryptography, Quantum computing, Post-Quantum Computing, Quantum-Readiness, Standardization, security