Edoardo Persichetti, Ph.D., an associate professor in the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, submitted four algorithms to NIST’s competition, with three of them reaching the conclusive round, where HQC was selected as the winner. (Photo by Alex Dolce)

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has selected Florida Atlantic University’s Hamming Quasi-Cyclic (HQC) for standardization in its Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) project. After a thorough evaluation process, NIST selected HQC to be part of the new generation of encryption standards, for its ability to meet its criteria for security, efficiency and practical implementation. 

HQC is a cryptographic algorithm designed to ensure secure key exchange between two parties, enabling them to share a common, secret key that can be used to encrypt and decrypt messages. This key exchange is a critical aspect of securing communication channels, ensuring that both sides have the same encryption key without the risk of interception. HQC is a next-generation cryptographic solution that aims to safeguard sensitive digital communications, offering robust protection both today and against the emerging threats of quantum computing in the future.

HQC will be the second key-encapsulation mechanism (KEM) to be standardized by NIST, with the first being ML-KEM. KEMs are essential for secure communication, as they are used to exchange encryption keys safely between parties. FAU is the only U.S. university involved among all the authors of the two winning KEM schemes selected by NIST, highlighting its prominent role in the field of post-quantum cryptography.

“The selection of HQC is a major step forward in preparing for a future where quantum computers will disrupt current encryption systems,” said Edoardo Persichetti, Ph.D., an associate professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics within the FAU Charles E. Schmidt College of Science. “What sets HQC apart is its quantum-resistant security. Unlike traditional cryptographic methods, which could be broken by powerful quantum computers, HQC is designed specifically to withstand attacks from these advanced machines. This makes it a ‘post-quantum’ cryptographic solution, meaning it’s built to protect against future threats posed by quantum computing.”

Persichetti submitted four algorithms to NIST’s competition, with three of them reaching the conclusive round, where HQC was selected as the winner.  

The PQC initiative, launched by NIST in 2016, is a project aimed at developing new cryptographic standards that can withstand the potential threats posed by quantum computers. Quantum computers have the ability to solve mathematical problems that traditional computers cannot, which could render current encryption systems like RSA and ECC (Elliptic Curve Cryptography) vulnerable. These systems are widely used to protect sensitive data and communications.

The HQC team is predominantly based in France, while the authors of Kyber/ML-KEM come from a diverse array of countries, including Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Canada.

Shi Bai, Ph.D., an associate professor in FAU’s Department of Mathematics and Statistics, previously contributed to NIST’s PQC initiative. He played a key role in developing the CRYSTALS-DILITHIUM digital signature algorithm, which was selected for standardization. His work advanced quantum-resistant cryptographic solutions, helping shape the future of secure digital communications.

“This achievement underscores the power of international collaboration in advancing post-quantum cryptography, and is a testament to the global impact of our research,” said Valery Forbes, Ph.D., dean of the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science. “It is also a moment of immense pride for our cryptography team in the Schmidt College of Science, galvanizing our position as a leading force in securing the future of digital information in the United States, particularly in the pivotal field of post-quantum cryptography.”

Founded in 1901 and now part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, NIST is one of the nation’s oldest physical science laboratories. Established by Congress to address the nation’s lagging measurement infrastructure at the time, NIST’s work now supports technologies ranging from smart grids and electronic health records to atomic clocks, nanomaterials and computer chips. Its measurements impact everything from nanoscale devices to earthquake-resistant skyscrapers and global communication networks, driving innovation and strengthening U.S. industrial competitiveness while enhancing economic security and quality of life.

“By addressing this future risk now, the PQC initiative aims to ensure that critical systems for data protection, digital signatures, and secure communications will continue to function securely in the quantum era,” said Persichetti. “This ongoing process of evaluation and standardization will provide a foundation for developing quantum-resistant cryptographic algorithms that can secure both current and future digital infrastructures, ensuring privacy and security for generations to come.”

-FAU-