Windows 11's most important new feature is post-quantum cryptography. Here's why
a year ago
- #Encryption
- #Quantum Computing
- #Windows 11
- Microsoft is updating Windows 11 with quantum-resistant encryption algorithms to prepare for future quantum computing threats.
- Quantum computers, which use qubits instead of binary states, promise breakthroughs in fields like metallurgy, chemistry, drug discovery, and financial modeling.
- Quantum computers could break RSA and elliptic curve encryption, which currently secure sensitive data worldwide, in hours or minutes instead of millions of years.
- Microsoft announced the availability of quantum-resistant algorithms in SymCrypt, Windows 11's core cryptographic library, starting with Build 27852 and higher.
- Microsoft also updated SymCrypt-OpenSSL, enabling the OpenSSL library to use SymCrypt for cryptographic operations.