Preparing for Quantum: ANSI Seeks Input on Standards to Keep Encryption Secure

Encryption protects nearly everything organizations do, from financial transactions to the systems that run critical infrastructure. As cyber threats evolve and quantum computing advances, the encryption methods in use today will need to be replaced, and many systems weren’t built to make that switch easily.

At the request of industry, ANSI is exploring a cross-sector initiative to coordinate standards for cryptographic agility: the ability to update encryption quickly and safely without rebuilding the systems that depend on it. ANSI invites U.S. stakeholders to share their perspectives and help shape the effort.

What the Effort Will Explore

• Cryptographic agility and lifecycle management, from inventories and transition planning to governance
• Post-quantum cryptography (PQC) migration, including hybrid approaches
• Interoperable cryptographic services, such as APIs and abstraction layers
• Identity and trust infrastructure, including public key infrastructure (PKI), certificates, and authentication
• The systems where encryption lives, from enterprise IT and cloud platforms to operational technology (OT), embedded devices, and critical infrastructure

How to Get Involved

ANSI wants to hear from all relevant stakeholders, including standards developing organizations, government agencies, and organizations that build, deploy, or depend on encryption. Share your experience, related standards activities, and coordination needs through the sign-up form, and pass it along to colleagues who should be part of the conversation. Respondents may be contacted for additional input and will be notified of any stakeholder discussions that result.

For more information, contact Christine Bernat, ANSI director of standards facilitation, at [email protected].