Securing PKI with Quantum-Resistant Solutions

The quantum computing revolution represents one of the most significant future challenges facing digital security. As quantum computing advances from a theoretical possibility to a practical reality, PKI administrators, web developers, and security specialists must prepare for a fundamental shift in how we protect sensitive data and secure communications. 

While the practical implications of the quantum computing threat might be years away, attention and strategic planning must be considered now in order to ensure your organization’s security systems remain resilient in mitigating risks against emerging quantum attacks. 

Discover how SSL.com’s customized solutions can help you achieve your unique security goals.

Understanding the Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) Revolution and Its Impact on Security 

Quantum computing has evolved into a promising technology that will profoundly alter the digital landscape. Pioneered by researchers such as Richard Feynman and David Deutsch, the foundational concepts that make quantum technology so powerful stem from the principles of quantum physics. These scientists harnessed superposition and entanglement to process information in ways previously thought impossible with traditional computers. 

However, since these early theoretical works, quantum computing has advanced significantly, highlighted by IBM’s 127-qubit Eagle processor in 2021 and Google’s claims of quantum supremacy. While today’s quantum systems remain limited, the technology is advancing rapidly. Practical threats to cryptographic systems posed by quantum computers remain largely theoretical at this stage, although the timeline for their capability to break current public key cryptography is rapidly approaching. 

Cybersecurity experts predict that this could occur between 2027 and 2033. This gives your organization roughly 5 to 10 years to complete a comprehensive transition into quantum-resistant cryptographic systems. During that time, the rise of quantum computing will pose a significant threat to the security guarantees offered by traditional PKI systems. 

The Quantum Threat to PKI: How Quantum Attacks Compromise Current Security 

The quantum threats to Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) security stem from the vulnerability of specific cryptographic algorithms, particularly RSA and Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC), which form the backbone of modern digital security infrastructure. These cryptographic algorithms rely on mathematical problems that are computationally difficult for traditional computers to solve.

However, quantum computers operate under different rules. Peter Shor’s groundbreaking 1994 algorithm demonstrated that quantum computers could factor large numbers and compute discrete logarithms much faster than any known classical algorithm. This makes RSA and ECC-based PKI systems vulnerable to quantum attacks.

Quantum computing power running Shor’s algorithm could derive private keys from public keys, effectively breaking through the cryptographic protection that PKI systems are designed to provide. 

The implications extend beyond theoretical concerns. Quantum computers pose a moderate threat to symmetric encryption (such as AES-256 and hash functions like SHA-256) through Grover’s algorithm, which effectively halves the security level of symmetric-key primitives.

However, asymmetric-key cryptography is vulnerable to complete compromise. Shor’s algorithm can potentially break widely used public-key cryptographic systems, including RSA, ECDSA, ECDH, and EdDSA. These systems protect secure digital transactions, encrypted email, digital signatures, encryption keys, and countless other critical web services. 

The “harvest-now-decrypt-later” threat concept adds urgency to this challenge. Bad actors may already be collecting encrypted data to decrypt it once quantum computers become available. This means that sensitive data encrypted today using current algorithms could be vulnerable to future attacks once quantum computing becomes widely available. 

The complexity of cryptographic migrations means organizations need years, not months, to complete transitions safely. A study by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) suggests that quantum computers capable of breaking RSA-2048 encryption, commonly employed in PKI, might emerge within the next two decades. Due to the complexity of the issue and the rapid pace of quantum technology advancements, the organization has issued formalized PQC standards to strengthen modern Public Key Infrastructure. 

How can we navigate this impending quantum revolution without jeopardizing our digital security systems? 

How Is Quantum Computing a Cybersecurity Threat? 

Quantum computing threats operate on multiple levels, creating challenges for both immediate security posture and long-term risk management strategies. 

Immediate Threats: 

• Cryptographic Algorithm Breakdown: Quantum computers will render current public key cryptographic algorithms obsolete, affecting everything from SSL/TLS certificates to digital signatures. 
• Infrastructure Vulnerability: Long-lived systems deployed today may extend well beyond the quantum threat horizon, making them potentially non-upgradeable when quantum computers arrive. 
• Supply Chain Risks: The complexity of modern security systems means quantum vulnerabilities could propagate through entire technology ecosystems, especially in PKI systems. 

Long-term Strategic Threats: 

• Cryptographic Agility Requirements: Organizations must develop the ability to update cryptographic algorithms as new quantum threats evolve rapidly. 
• Compliance and Regulatory Challenges: New standards and regulations around post-quantum cryptographic implementations will require ongoing adaptation. 
• Competitive Disadvantage: Organizations that delay quantum-resistant preparations may face significant security gaps compared to early adopters. 

The quantum computing threat to cybersecurity is particularly severe for Industrial IoT environments, which face unique migration challenges. These deployments typically involve thousands of field devices spread across vast geographic areas, often in remote or harsh environments. 

Many devices are resource-constrained, non-upgradeable, and embedded systems that weren’t designed for cryptographic agility and may lack the computational resources to handle larger post-quantum cryptographic algorithms. 

Addressing the Quantum Threat: Post-Quantum Cryptography Solutions 

Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC), also known as quantum-resistant cryptography, represents the primary defense against quantum threats. PQC advances digital communication security by developing new cryptographic systems that can resist attacks from both traditional computers and quantum computers. 

The post-quantum cryptography migration has officially begun, and your organization’s migration strategy should begin with a thorough assessment of your current cryptographic landscape. Start by inventorying all certificates, keys, and cryptographic implementations across your infrastructure.

NIST has currently published four foundational PQC standards that organizations must understand and implement: 

• FIPS 203 (ML-KEM): Based on CRYSTALS-Kyber for key encapsulation mechanisms 
• FIPS 204 (ML-DSA): Based on CRYSTALS-Dilithium for digital signatures 
• FIPS 205 (SLH-DSA): Based on SPHINCS+ for stateless hash-based signatures
• *FIPS 206 (FN-DSA), Based on FALCON (has been announced but not yet released) 

Core PQC Approaches: 

Lattice-based Cryptography represents one of the most promising PQC methods. This approach leverages the computational difficulty of lattice problems in high-dimensional spaces, which remain hard for both classical and quantum computers. Lattice-based cryptography offers a robust foundation for developing quantum-resistant cryptographic systems with acceptable performance characteristics. 

Multivariate cryptography bases its security on multivariate polynomial equations over finite fields. The safety of this encryption method stems from the difficulty of solving systems of multivariate equations, which classical computers can generate quickly, but even quantum computers struggle to solve efficiently. 

Hash-based signatures, based on the principles of cryptographic hash functions, represent one of the oldest and most thoroughly studied post-quantum cryptographic approaches. They have demonstrated resistance to quantum threats, making them a proven option for organizations seeking to protect their cryptographic systems. 

Code-based systems rely on error-correcting codes and the difficulty of decoding random linear codes, providing another quantum-resistant approach for specific use cases. 

Together, these PQC techniques pave the way for a new era of cryptographic systems that can withstand advances in quantum computing. However, no single algorithm will address all use cases. A multifaceted approach will be required to meet your specific security requirements and performance constraints.

Government Standards and Regulatory Compliance for PQC 

Adopting post-quantum cryptographic solutions involves navigating complex regulatory and compliance requirements. As PQC represents a relatively new field, standards and regulations are still being established and formalized, creating an evolving landscape that organizations must navigate carefully. 

Key Regulatory Developments: 

The Commercial National Security Algorithm (CNSA) Suite 2.0 provides crucial guidance for organizations, particularly those working with government systems. The timeline shows a phased approach: 

• Software/firmware signing transitions begin immediately and must be completed by 2030 
• Web browsers/servers and cloud services have until 2033 
• Traditional networking equipment and operating systems face similar timelines 
• Custom applications and legacy equipment have the longest transition periods 

NIST Internal Report 8547 sets aggressive deadlines, proposing to deprecate RSA-2048 and ECC-256 algorithms by 2030 and ban RSA and ECC entirely by 2035. These deadlines create a compressed timeline for organizations to complete their post-quantum cryptographic migrations. 

International Standards: 

• UK National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC): Requires organizations to define migration goals and conduct full discovery exercises by 2028, with complete PQC migration by 2035 
• Australian Signals Directorate (ASD): Mandates phasing out weak encryption algorithms for High Assurance Cryptographic Equipment by 2030 

The transition to PQC may create challenges for organizations in meeting privacy and data protection regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union. Organizations must ensure smooth transitions without compromising data security standards or violating regulatory compliance requirements. 

A Roadmap to Implementation Strategies and Risk Management 

Successful PQC implementation requires comprehensive risk management strategies and systematic approaches to cryptographic migration.

Essential Implementation Steps: 

1. Establish Quantum-Readiness Roadmap: Create dedicated project management teams to plan and scope the migration to PQC, incorporating both technical and business requirements. 
2. Cryptographic Asset Inventory: Conduct thorough assessments of all protocols, applications, and devices using vulnerable cryptography. Identify high-value data requiring long-term secrecy protection. 
3. Vendor Engagement: Discuss quantum-safe roadmaps with technology vendors, include quantum-readiness requirements in RFPs and tenders, and determine supply chain quantum-readiness. 
4. Migration Strategy Development: Prioritize high-impact systems and those requiring long-term secrecy, integrate with technology modernization efforts, and prepare to re-architect, rebuild, or replace legacy systems. 
5. Testing and Validation: Ensure interoperability between quantum-resistant and legacy systems during transition periods. 
6. Staff Education and Training: Develop internal expertise in post-quantum cryptographic technologies and best practices for implementation. 

Industrial IoT environments face particularly severe migration challenges that require early planning and assessment due to their unique constraints. These deployments typically involve large volumes of field devices spread across vast geographic areas, often in remote or harsh environments. 

Many of these devices are resource-constrained, non-upgradeable, embedded systems that weren’t designed for cryptographic agility. They may use proprietary protocols incompatible with post-quantum cryptography or lack the computational resources to handle larger PQC algorithms. The scale and geographic distribution of these deployments, combined with their internet connectivity, create elevated cybersecurity risks. 

Case Studies: Responding to the Quantum Threat with PQC 

Post-quantum cryptographic implementation is transitioning from theoretical research to practical deployment, with organizations across various sectors beginning to test and deploy quantum-resistant solutions. 

Google’s Chrome PQC Pilot: In 2022, Google conducted PQC experiments in its Chrome Canary browser, working with quantum-resistant algorithms to implement post-quantum key-exchange mechanisms. This pilot project demonstrated the feasibility of integrating PQC into widely used web applications while revealing implementation challenges and performance considerations. 

Financial Services Sector: Several major financial institutions have begun evaluating PQC implementations for high-value transaction systems, recognizing that the “store-now-decrypt-later” threat poses greater risks to sensitive financial data that must remain secure for extended periods. 

Government and Defense Applications: Government agencies are leading the adoption of PQC efforts, driven by national security requirements and regulatory mandates. These implementations provide valuable insights into large-scale cryptographic migrations and interoperability challenges. 

Key Implementation Takeaways: 

• Backward compatibility requirements significantly complicate migration planning 
• Performance overhead of PQC algorithms varies significantly by use case 
• Hybrid approaches combining classical and post-quantum algorithms provide transition flexibility 
• Thorough testing across diverse environments is essential for successful deployment 

How SSL.com Supports Your Quantum-Resistant Future 

“Nature isn’t classical, dammit, and if you want to make a simulation of nature, you’d better make it quantum mechanical.” – Richard Feynman, American theoretical physicist 

The quantum shift is underway, and the digital landscape is poised for a significant transformation. Technology vendors are starting to release quantum-safe or quantum-ready products, making now the ideal time to begin planning your migration.

It presents significant challenges for organizations globally, including anticipating (and dealing with) the quantum threat, making the switch to new cryptographic paradigms, and keeping up with the changing regulatory landscape. To avoid ending up with obsolete cryptographic systems, success requires early planning, stakeholder engagement, and comprehensive strategies that maintain security throughout the migration process. 

With the right help and knowledge, this change can be made safely and effectively, optimizing efficacy while mitigating disruption. As a longtime, reliable partner in digital security, SSL.com helps customers find solutions to future-proof their systems against problems. We counsel our partners to better understand what quantum computing means for their current PKI systems and how to prepare for a future that embraces it. 

As organizations face the quantum threat, SSL.com remains at the forefront of digital innovation, helping our customers navigate this complex transition. Our approach combines deep technical expertise with practical implementation strategies tailored to each organization’s unique requirements, one quantum-resistant algorithm at a time.