NIST has finalized three post-quantum encryption standards designed to protect electronic information from future quantum computer attacks. These include ML-KEM for general encryption, ML-DSA for digital signatures, and SLH-DSA as a backup digital signature algorithm. These standards are part of NIST's broader effort to secure data against quantum threats, encouraging immediate adoption by system administrators.
A fourth algorithm, FN-DSA, is scheduled for release in late 2024. This initiative is part of a decade-long project to develop quantum-resistant cryptography.