Postquantum Cryptography (PQC)

It is a cryptography branch that deals with encryption resistant to quantum computer computing power. These will break the RSA and ECC encryption algorithms in good time. If you want security that can withstand quantum computers, use DigiCert's PQC solution with Secure Site Pro certificates.

The power of quantum computers

As you know, quantum computers outperform today's machines many times over with their performance and number of operations per second. This is due to their different architecture. The operation of even the simplest quantum computer is physically complex, not to mention the cost of acquiring it. However, having the means to break the encryption using quantum computers may not be a problem for the secret services, so the topic of PQC is becoming current today.

Cryptography must think ahead and assume the use of quantum computers to break current cryptographic algorithms (which may be one of the main motivations). Algorithms still work and we use them because they are based on complex mathematical problems that cannot be easily calculated. For example, RSA is looking for two coefficients of one large prime product (factorization). The ECC algorithm is based on the assumption that finding a discrete logarithm for a random point in an elliptic curve with respect to a known base point is impossible.

For computers with a contemporary architecture, even so-called supercomputers, it is a big problem to break contemporary cryptography. Breaking through brute force, i.e. by trying out all possible combinations, is a task not theoretically impossible, but so time-consuming that it cannot be performed even with great paralysis. Quantum computers could change all that.

More information and the PQC solution

For more information on this topic, we recommend the DigiCert portal dedicated to this topic. In the help section, you will find specific steps to take advantage of hybrid RSA/PQC certificates in operation using a customized version of OpenSSL. You also need a Secure Site Pro certificate. Do you want to experiment? Go ahead! Contact our support team to get you started.

Do you want to experiment? Go ahead! Contact our support team to get you started.

Has this article been useful?