NIST Selects Four Post-Quantum Cryptographic Algorithms for Standardization After the Third Round of the PQC Process

NIST has completed the third round of the Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) standardization process, which selects public-key cryptographic algorithms to protect information through the advent of quantum computers. A total of four candidate algorithms have been selected for standardization: CRYSTALS-KYBER, CRYSTALS-Dilithium, FALCON, and SPHINCS⁺. Four additional algorithms will continue into the fourth round for further evaluation: BIKE, Classic McEliece, HQC, and SIKE.

NISTIR 8413, Status Report on the Third Round of the NIST Post-Quantum Cryptography Standardization Process, details the selection rationale and is also available on the NIST PQC webpage.

See the full announcement for more details, including discussion of a Fourth PQC Conference and an upcoming call for additional quantum-resistant digital signature algorithms. Questions may be directed to pqc-comments@nist.gov.