General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT) has joined the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) Migration to Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) Building Block Consortium, becoming the first systems integrator to support national efforts to secure future cryptography systems. The rise of quantum computing threatens to compromise current encryption methods used to protect sensitive data and systems.
In response, NIST is developing new quantum-resistant algorithms and technologies. As a consortium member, GDIT will bring its expertise in managing and securing large-scale cryptographic systems to help organizations migrate to PQC. Ben Gianni, GDIT’s senior vice president and chief technology officer, emphasized the urgency of securing sensitive digital data, citing the threat of adversaries using quantum computing to decrypt sensitive data. GDIT’s Tidal PQC Digital Accelerator will play a key role in identifying vulnerabilities and accelerating the adoption of post-quantum cryptographic solutions.
Securing the Future of Cryptography: GDIT Joins NIST’s Post-Quantum Cryptography Consortium
The advent of quantum computing poses a significant threat to the encryption methods currently used to protect sensitive data and systems. In response, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has launched the Migration to Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) Building Block Consortium to develop new quantum-resistant algorithms and technologies. General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT), a business unit of General Dynamics, has joined this consortium as the first systems integrator, bringing decades of expertise in managing and securing large-scale cryptographic systems.
The rise of quantum computing threatens to compromise the encryption methods currently used to protect sensitive data and systems widely used today. Quantum computers can potentially break many of the public-key encryption algorithms currently in use, compromising the security of digital information. In response, NIST has spearheaded efforts to develop new quantum-resistant algorithms and technologies that can resist attacks from quantum computers. The consortium will focus on developing practical solutions and tools that help organizations migrate to PQC, ensuring that critical digital information remains protected against future quantum-enabled threats.
GDIT’s participation in the NIST PQC Consortium builds on its broader efforts to guide federal agencies through the complexities of post-quantum cryptography. As the government prepares for the quantum era, GDIT is actively supporting agencies to interpret and apply the latest PQC guidance from key entities, including the Office of Management and Budget, Department of Defense, National Security Agency, and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. This work ensures that federal organizations are equipped to meet emerging cryptographic challenges with secure, scalable solutions.
GDIT’s Tidal PQC Digital Accelerator will play a pivotal role in helping organizations identify vulnerabilities, prioritize cryptographic risks, and accelerate the adoption of post-quantum cryptographic solutions. The company will also leverage its extensive network of cyber partnerships with hardware and software vendors to align industry capabilities with NIST’s standards for PQC adoption.
The Threat of Quantum Computing: Compromising Encryption Methods
The rise of quantum computing poses a significant threat to the encryption methods currently used to protect sensitive data and systems. Quantum computers can potentially break many of the public-key encryption algorithms currently in use, compromising the security of digital information. This is because quantum computers can perform certain calculations much faster than classical computers, allowing them to factorize large numbers and break certain types of encryption potentially.
The threat of quantum computing is not limited to just data at rest; it also poses a risk to data in transit. Quantum computers could potentially intercept and decrypt sensitive information being transmitted over the internet or other networks. This has significant implications for national security, as well as for industries that rely heavily on secure data transmission, such as finance and healthcare.
The threat of quantum computing is not just theoretical; it is already a reality. In 2019, Google announced that it had built a 53-qubit quantum computer that could perform certain calculations beyond the capabilities of classical computers. Since then, other companies and organizations have made significant advances in quantum computing, further highlighting the need for post-quantum cryptography.
The Need for Post-Quantum Cryptography: Developing Quantum-Resistant Algorithms
The development of post-quantum cryptography is critical to ensuring the security of digital information in the face of quantum computing threats. Post-quantum cryptography refers to cryptographic techniques that are resistant to attacks from quantum computers. This includes algorithms and protocols that use different mathematical approaches, such as lattice-based cryptography, code-based cryptography, and multivariate cryptography.
NIST has launched a process to standardize post-quantum cryptographic algorithms, which involves evaluating and selecting candidate algorithms that can resist attacks from quantum computers. The selected algorithms will be used to develop new standards for post-quantum cryptography, ensuring that organizations have access to secure, scalable solutions.
GDIT’s participation in the NIST PQC Consortium is critical to this effort, as it brings decades of expertise in managing and securing large-scale cryptographic systems. GDIT’s Tidal PQC Digital Accelerator will play a pivotal role in helping organizations identify vulnerabilities, prioritize cryptographic risks, and accelerate the adoption of post-quantum cryptographic solutions.
The Role of Systems Integrators: Supporting the Migration to Post-Quantum Cryptography
Systems integrators like GDIT are critical in supporting the migration to post-quantum cryptography. They bring expertise in managing and securing large-scale cryptographic systems, as well as experience in working with government agencies and industries that rely heavily on secure data transmission.
GDIT’s participation in the NIST PQC Consortium is significant because it highlights the importance of collaboration between industry and government in developing and deploying post-quantum cryptography. By working together, organizations can ensure that they have access to secure, scalable solutions that meet their needs.
In addition, systems integrators like GDIT can provide critical support to organizations as they migrate to post-quantum cryptography. This includes helping organizations assess their cryptographic risks, identify vulnerabilities, and prioritize the adoption of post-quantum cryptographic solutions. By providing this support, systems integrators can help ensure that organizations are prepared for the quantum era.
The Future of Cryptography: A Quantum-Secure World
The future of cryptography is a quantum-secure world where digital information is protected from threats posed by quantum computing. This requires the development and deployment of post-quantum cryptographic algorithms and protocols that can resist attacks from quantum computers.
GDIT’s participation in the NIST PQC Consortium is a critical step towards achieving this goal. By working together with industry partners, government agencies, and academia, organizations can ensure that they have access to secure, scalable solutions that meet their needs.
The future of cryptography also requires continued investment in research and development, as well as education and training for professionals in the field. This includes supporting the development of new cryptographic techniques and protocols, as well as educating professionals on the threats posed by quantum computing and the importance of post-quantum cryptography.
Ultimately, a quantum-secure world is one where digital information is protected from threats posed by quantum computing, ensuring that organizations can operate with confidence in the face of emerging threats.
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