NIST PQC Standards | Guide to Post-Quantum Cryptography Migration

Quantum computing is no longer a far-off possibility; it is a near-term certainty. Quantum computers will break the existing cryptography, which is the foundation of the entire digital world.

Governments predict the timelines, enterprises search for ways to avoid them, and the market waits for the first breach. At QNu, as category leaders in quantum security, we now reveal the truth: the market may wait, but the migration to post-quantum cryptography cannot.

Quantum migration is not just a technical upgrade; it is a generational shift in security. QNu’s products and solutions are 100% NIST-compliant and aligned with the frameworks of NIST’s Transition to Post-Quantum Cryptography Standards (NIST IR 8547). In this blog, we reiterate all the Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS), a set of guidelines and standards developed by NIST, along with the backup algorithm.  

Why is preparing for quantum attacks urgent?

• Vulnerable Encryption: For decades, RSA and Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) have guarded the world’s most valuable data across all industries. However, these classical algorithms are vulnerable to the threat of quantum computers.
• Loss of Trust: When that moment arrives, encrypted banking transactions, healthcare records, national defence communications, and digital identities will be exposed, resulting in identity theft, data loss, and a loss of trust.
• Nearing Attacks: 57% of industry leaders believe it will happen within the next three years. Source: Data Science Report (2025).
• Harvest Now, Decrypt Later: Even worse, adversaries are already preparing. The “harvest now, decrypt later” threat means attackers can stockpile encrypted data today, only to decrypt it once quantum machines are ready.

What are the NIST’s PQC Standards & Algorithms?

In the first phase, NIST released a total of three Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS), along with a backup algorithm. They have also selected the fifth algorithm for post-quantum encryption.

1. Primary Algorithms

CRYSTALS-Kyber (FIPS 203)

• Also known as Module-Lattice-Based Key-Encapsulation Mechanism (ML-KEM)
• Intended to be the primary algorithm for general encryption  

CRYSTALS-Dilithium algorithm (FIPS 204)

• Also known as Module-Lattice-Based Digital Signature Algorithm (ML-DSA)
• Intended to be the primary algorithm for digital signatures  

2. Secondary Algorithms

Sphincs+ Algorithm (FIPS 205)

• Also known as Stateless Hash-Based Digital Signature Algorithm (SLH-DSA)
• Intended to be the backup of FIPS 204 (if ML-DSA becomes vulnerable)

FALCON (Draft FIPS 206)

• Also known as FFT (fast-Fourier transform) over NTRU-Lattice-Based Digital Signature Algorithm (FN-DSA)
• Intended for digital signatures  

HQC  

• Hamming Quasi-Cyclic (HQC) is a backup for ML-KEM, the main algorithm  
• HQC is yet to be standardised by NIST  

These are not optional updates. These are the new lifeblood of secure digital ecosystems for all industries.  Leaders act; others react. QNu proactively delivers.

Source: NIST

What are the difficulties in migrating to Post Quantum Cryptography?

Time-consuming: Migrating to PQC is a time-consuming task for governments and enterprises.  This is a marathon disguised as a sprint. Even the transitions of yesteryear took over a decade. PQC migration will take longer.  

Large-scale: Billions of devices, trillions of transactions, and countless applications must adapt. Enterprises face architectural overhauls across network protocols, software cryptographic libraries, cryptographic hardware, Public Key Infrastructures (PKI), certificate authorities, cloud, IoT, and enterprise IT systems.  

Layered system: This migration applies to every layer of the digital stack, including both hardware and software.  

As pioneers in the field of quantum communication, QNu is not just preparing for this migration; we are already deploying and creating the migration playbook for the world.

How to find if an organisation is at quantum risk?

At QNu, we suggest using Daniel Mosca’s theorem for assessing whether a government body or organisation is at quantum risk or not.  

Three key factors: X, Y & Z.  

1. Shelf life: The amount of time your sensitive data should be secure and in active use. (X)  
2. Migration time: The amount of time taken to adopt and migrate to quantum security (Y)  
3. Q-Day: The timeline of when quantum computers will break existing cryptography (Z)  

Three key scenarios:  X+Y > Z (High Risk)

• If X + Y is greater than Z, you are already at severe risk.    
• If X+Y is equal to Z, you are at moderate risk.  
• If X+Y is lower than Z, you are now in a safe zone and should act immediately.  

Note: The time frame between 2026 and 2031 is the quantum risk zone (Z), during which quantum computers will break existing defence security.  

If your data must stay secure for 10–30 years, migration cannot wait for quantum computers to arrive. That’s why at QNu, we say, ‘Waiting is Losing.’

Why is QNu the best partner for post-quantum migration?

QNu Labs is the pioneer in quantum cryptography and quantum communication in India and globally. Founded in 2016 and incubated at IITM, QNu Labs has a vision to make India self-reliant in digital security, pioneering the future of trust in a world rapidly moving toward the quantum era.  

Guided by the philosophy ‘Quantum-secure. Nation-first. Future-ready and strengthened by deep R&D and global collaborations, QNu Labs safeguards nations, businesses, and people everywhere. At QNu Labs, we proudly affirm that we are the Architects of Trust, Privacy, and Security in a Quantum Future.  

QNu’s Differentiators  

• Born in India, Built for the World: QNu Labs offers an indigenous ecosystem of quantum-safe technologies.   ‍
• Integration without disruption: QNu’s solutions ensure that enterprises can seamlessly transition from classical to quantum-safe security without disrupting existing systems, workflows, or applications.   ‍
• Tested & Proven: Received 10 patents and 15 more are in the pipeline. QNu’s solutions are military-grade and battle-ready, designed for the highest levels of national security and enterprise resilience. They are proven and certified, having undergone rigorous validation to ensure trust, reliability, and uncompromising performance.   ‍
• Industry-agnostic: From defence communications and satellite links to financial systems, data centres, and cloud platforms, QNu Labs enables governments, enterprises, and critical infrastructure operators to achieve true digital sovereignty, trust, and privacy in the post-quantum era.  ‍
• Global presence: With a strong presence in the USA, Australia, the Middle East, Europe, and the Far East, as well as globally, QNu Labs is shaping the global movement towards quantum-safe security through growing international collaborations, deployments, and recognition.         ‍
• Commercialised & Deployable: QNu’s solutions and products are already deployed and ready for commercialisation.  

Most importantly, to make the migration smoother, QNu has recommended and deployed Hybrid solutions and phased implementation.  

Explore our Case Studies.

What is the best implementation plan for PQC Migration?

The Way Forward…

NIST standards are global anchors. Government and enterprise leaders must proactively partner with leaders in quantum communication.  

Fragmentation is a hurdle. Collaboration is the only way forward to lead in the quantum era.

From QNu, we are not passive participants in this process; we are the ones shaping it. By constantly engaging with regulators and delivering PQC-ready & NIST-compliant products, we ensure that the future of cybersecurity is not just quantum-resistant, but quantum-resilient.

The migration to PQC is one of the most consequential cybersecurity transformations of our time. Like every paradigm shift, there will be leaders and followers.

• Followers will wait for compliance deadlines. ‍
• Leaders will secure the future, today.

We have chosen our role. As pioneers, we are not just reacting to NIST’s guidelines; we are defining how the world migrates. The future belongs to those who act now.  

Join us in our mission to make the quantum dream a reality.