Trusted Computing (TC), which has long been the cornerstone of hardware-based platform integrity, faces an existential threat from the advent of large-scale quantum computers capable of breaking its underlying classical cryptography. This review systematically analyzes the imperative transition to Post-Quantum Trusted Computing (PQC-TC), synthesizing the leading research and industry-driven efforts to secure this critical paradigm. We present a taxonomy of PQC-TC approaches, including the PQC modernization of existing Trusted Platform Modules (TPMs) for functions like measured boot and remote attestation. Our analysis highlights the dual challenges of adapting to new algorithms with significantly larger key sizes and higher computational overheads, as well as the need for robust migration strategies. We examine the pivotal roles of the NIST PQC Standardization Process and the Trusted Computing Group (TCG) in defining the path to commercial readiness. While PQC modernization is the most viable nearterm solution, we identify open research challenges in formal security modeling, resource optimization for embedded systems, and the long-term potential of hybrid architectures integrating quantum hardware. This paper concludes that the successful evolution of TC hinges on proactive, collaborative efforts to build a secure, resilient, and quantum-ready foundation for future digital systems.
Trusted Computing (TC), which has long been the cornerstone of hardware-based platform integrity, faces an existential threat from the advent of large-scale quantum computers capable of breaking its underlying classical cryptography. This review systematically analyzes the imperative transition to Post-Quantum Trusted Computing (PQC-TC), synthesizing the leading research and industry-driven efforts to secure this critical paradigm. We present a taxonomy of PQC-TC approaches, including the PQC modernization of existing Trusted Platform Modules (TPMs) for functions like measured boot and remote attestation. Our analysis highlights the dual challenges of adapting to new algorithms with significantly larger key sizes and higher computational overheads, as well as the need for robust migration strategies. We examine the pivotal roles of the NIST PQC Standardization Process and the Trusted Computing Group (TCG) in defining the path to commercial readiness. While PQC modernization is the most viable nearterm solution, we identify open research challenges in formal security modeling, resource optimization for embedded systems, and the long-term potential of hybrid architectures integrating quantum hardware. This paper concludes that the successful evolution of TC hinges on proactive, collaborative efforts to build a secure, resilient, and quantum-ready foundation for future digital systems.
The imminent emergence of quantum computers poses unprecedented challenges to the current cryptographic standards that secure vital digital communications and data worldwide. This paper addresses the vulnerabilities of existing cryptographic systems susceptible to quantum-based attacks and emphasizes a dedicated transition plan to post-quantum cryptography (PQC). We first examine the current state of cryptographic practices, highlight the quantum threat, and present the framework and need for PQC. In addition, a comprehensive strategy is presented that encompasses the identification, protection, detection, response, and recovery phases and integrates PQC into existing security infrastructures, specifically the Cybersecurity Framework Version 2.0 of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Methods and technologies discussed include the development of robust PQC algorithms, tools for their large-scale implementation, and hybrid cryptographic systems that combine traditional and quantum-resistant techniques. Practical implementations on various hardware and software platforms are also presented in case studies that provide real-world insight into the challenges and innovations in using PQC. We conclude with a discussion of hybrid approaches, regulatory considerations, and recommendations derived from early adopters to guide future efforts to create a quantum-resilient digital landscape.
The accelerating development of quantum computing represents one of the most significant paradigm shifts in the history of information security. Cryptographic systems that currently underpin global digital infrastructure—including RSA, Diffie–Hellman, and Elliptic Curve Cryptography—rely on mathematical assumptions that collapse under quantum algorithms such as Shor’s and Grover’s. Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) emerges as the most viable and immediate solution to secure communications in the quantum era, offering cryptographic primitives that can be deployed on today’s classical hardware while resisting both classical and quantum attacks. This review provides a comprehensive, detailed examination of PQC, analyzing its mathematical foundations, algorithmic families, standardization progress, and deployment challenges. Special emphasis is placed on the NIST PQC standardization process, the risk posed by “harvest-now-decrypt-later” adversaries, the complexities of global cryptographic migration, and the implications for critical digital infrastructures such as cloud computing, blockchain systems, long-lifespan data archives, IoT ecosystems, and national cybersecurity. Through standalone equations, tables, and figures—including a conceptual visual provided by the user—this paper offers a complete, cohesive, and rigorous synthesis. The findings underscore that the transition to PQC is not optional but imperative, requiring coordinated scientific, governmental, and industrial effort to safeguard the digital future.
Quantum computing poses an existential threat to classical public-key cryptography, particularly RSA and elliptic-curve systems, which form the backbone of secure communication, authentication, and digital trust. Once scalable quantum computers emerge, algorithms such as Shor’s will be capable of breaking these schemes, jeopardizing confidentiality and integrity across the internet and enterprise systems. Post-quantum cryptography (PQC) offers a viable defense, providing quantum-resistant algorithms that can be implemented on today’s hardware and protocols. Recent standardization milestones—including NIST’s approval of ML-KEM (Kyber) for key establishment, ML-DSA (Dilithium) and SLH-DSA (SPHINCS+) for signatures, and the selection of HQC as a complementary KEM—mark a turning point for practical adoption. This paper surveys the quantum threat model, algorithm families, performance trade-offs, and integration patterns such as hybrid modes and crypto-agile architectures. It further outlines a phased migration roadmap for enterprises, emphasizing harvest-now-decrypt-later risks and compliance imperatives. By bridging technical, operational, and policy perspectives, the study provides actionable guidance to prepare organizations for a secure and quantum-resilient future.
The advent of quantum computing poses a significant threat to current cryptographic systems, particularly public-key algorithms such as RSA and ECC, which are vulnerable to quantum attacks like Shor's algorithm. Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) aims to develop and standardize quantum-resistant cryptographic algorithms to secure digital communications in the quantum era. This paper examines the current landscape of PQC, focusing on the evaluation and standardization efforts led by organizations such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). We analyze the major families of quantum-resistant algorithms, including lattice-based, hash-based, code-based, multivariate, and isogeny-based cryptography, discussing their security guarantees, performance trade-offs, and implementation challenges. Furthermore, we review NIST's PQC standardization process, highlighting selected finalists and alternate candidates, and explore the ongoing transition challenges in adopting these algorithms across industries. Finally, we discuss future directions for PQC research, including hybrid cryptographic systems and the need for continued cryptanalysis to ensure long-term security. This work provides a comprehensive overview of the progress and challenges in deploying quantum-resistant cryptography to safeguard against emerging quantum threats.
Trust is the core building block of secure systems, and it is enforced via methods to guarantee that a specific system is properly configured and works as expected. In this context, a Root of Trust (RoT) establishes a trusted environment, where both data and code are authenticated via a digital signature, which is based on asymmetric cryptography. Unfortunately, this kind of crypto is vulnerable to the threat posed by Quantum Computers (QCs). Firmware, being the earliest layer of trust, faces unique risks due to its longevity and difficult update. Transitioning firmware protection to Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) is urgent, since it lowers the risk derived from exposing all computing and network devices to quantum-based attacks. This paper offers an analysis of the most common trust techniques and their roadmap towards a Post-Quantum (PQ) world, by investigating the current status of PQC and the challenges posed by such algorithms in existing Trusted Computing (TC) solutions from an integration perspective. Furthermore, this paper proposes an architecture for PQ TC techniques based on integrity verification, addressing the imperative for immediate adoption of quantum-resistant algorithms.
The advent of quantum computing poses an existential threat to contemporary cryptographic standards, particularly those securing decentralized blockchain networks and cloud infrastructures.Classical public-key cryptosystems such as RSA, ECC, and DH, which rely on factorization and discrete logarithm problems, are rendered obsolete by Shor's algorithm, necessitating the transition toward post-quantum cryptographic (PQC) solutions.This study explores the integration of PQC algorithms, including lattice-based, hash-based, code-based, multivariate, and isogeny-based cryptographic mechanisms, within blockchain-ledger technologies and cloud architectures to ensure long-term security against quantum adversaries.A comparative analysis is conducted to evaluate computational efficiency, key size implications, communication overhead, and security resilience under quantum attack models.The research highlights the adaptation of PQC within blockchain consensus mechanisms, smart contract execution, and cryptographic primitives such as digital signatures, zero-knowledge proofs, and secure multi-party computation (MPC).Additionally, it examines the impact of PQC on cloud security, addressing challenges in quantum-safe key exchange protocols, homomorphic encryption for secure computations, and cross-platform interoperability within hybrid quantum-classical cloud ecosystems.Real-world implementations and benchmarking data provide insights into the feasibility of large-scale adoption, shedding light on standardization efforts by NIST and industry consortia.The study concludes with future directions, emphasizing the need for efficient PQC algorithm optimization, lightweight cryptographic frameworks for IoT-driven blockchain applications, and scalable post-quantum identity management systems.By establishing quantum-resistant security frameworks, this research underscores the imperative need for early adoption to mitigate cryptographic vulnerabilities in the impending post-quantum era.