Post-quantum cryptography (PQC) refers to cryptographic algorithms designed to be secure against attacks from quantum computers. Quantum computers, unlike classical computers, use quantum bits (qubits) and principles like superposition and entanglement to perform computations at speeds unattainable by classical systems. This poses a threat to traditional cryptographic methods, such as RSA and ECC, which rely on mathematical problems (e.g., integer factorization and discrete logarithms) that quantum algorithms like Shor's algorithm can solve efficiently.
For cloud computing security, PQC is critical because cloud services often handle sensitive data, including financial information, personal identifiable information (PII), and intellectual property. If quantum computers become powerful enough to break current encryption, data stored or transmitted in the cloud could be compromised retroactively, even if it was encrypted before quantum threats emerged.
To address this, cloud providers must adopt PQC to future-proof their systems. For example, Tencent Cloud offers hybrid cryptographic solutions that integrate PQC algorithms alongside traditional ones, ensuring backward compatibility while preparing for the quantum era. This allows businesses to migrate to quantum-resistant security without disrupting existing services.
An example of PQC in action is the use of lattice-based cryptography, such as CRYSTALS-Kyber for key exchange and CRYSTALS-Dilithium for digital signatures, which are resistant to quantum attacks. Tencent Cloud can help enterprises implement these algorithms to secure data in transit and at rest, safeguarding against future quantum threats.