NIST Proposes AES Standardization To Enhance Quantum Security

According to Cointelegraph, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has proposed standardizing the block and key size for the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) to 256 bits. This move is driven by the increasing volume of data processed by applications and the growing demand for data-intensive operations. Currently, AES, derived from the Rijndael block cipher family, utilizes a block size of 128 bits with encryption key lengths of 128, 192, or 256 bits. Enhancing encryption key lengths is seen as a measure to ensure quantum security, as long as these lengths exceed the number of bits a quantum computer can factor and break. The urgency for developing quantum-resistant cryptography has intensified following Google's unveiling of its Willow quantum processor. This processor reportedly solves computational problems in five minutes that would take traditional binary-based computers an astronomical amount of time to crack. Despite this leap in processing power, quantum computers face design limitations, such as the number of qubits needed for error correction, which currently prevent them from breaking modern encryption standards. Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has addressed the need for quantum-proofing crypto networks, suggesting account abstraction as a potential solution in Ethereum's roadmap. However, he noted that quantum computers posing significant risks to encryption are still decades away. In a related development, the Singapore Monetary Authority (MAS) and Banque de France (BDF) conducted a post-quantum cryptography test in November. This experiment involved securing Microsoft Outlook emails using post-quantum computing to digitally sign the emails. Additionally, hash-based, quantum-resistant solutions have been proposed to provide security for systems relying on elliptical curve digital signature algorithms (ECDSA). Despite these advancements, Blockstream co-founder and CEO Adam Back expressed skepticism about the practical implementation of hash-based schemes, suggesting that post-quantum research will continue to evolve in the years leading up to quantum supremacy.