Why Quantum Computers Could Break the Internet's Encryption and What's Replacing It

Short summary

Quantum computers threaten current encryption (RSA/ECC) via Shor's algorithm, making this urgent today through "Harvest Now, Decrypt Later" attacks that enable decryption of data intercepted years ago. NIST finalized post-quantum cryptography standards in 2024 (ML-KEM, ML-DSA, SLH-DSA) based on lattice math that resists both classical and quantum attacks. Major platforms are deploying hybrid schemes combining traditional and post-quantum algorithms for near-term protection.

• •Quantum computers can crack RSA/ECC encryption via Shor's algorithm; capable machines estimated within 10 years
• •"Harvest Now, Decrypt Later" attacks make migration urgent now—sensitive data captured today can be decrypted tomorrow
• •NIST 2024 post-quantum cryptography standards provide migration path; hybrid deployment reduces risk of any single algorithm failure

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