Turns out the clock is ticking on all of us and we need Post Quantum Cryptography (PQC) sooner than was anticipated in this article below. Earlier, I highlighted some good post quantum standards that could be widely adapted in the coming months. • ML-KEM ( Module-Lattice Key Encapsulation Mechanism ) • ML-DSA ( Module-Lattice Digital Signature Algorithm ) • SLH-DSA ( Stateless Hash-based Digital Signature Algorithm ) • STARKs Here's what you need to know about them — • ML-KEM (FIPS 203): This is a standard based on CRYSTALS-Kyber. Its role is simple but critical. It alllows two parties to securely agree on a shared secret over a public network. That secret is what encrypts everything that follows. Think of it as: “How two strangers safely create a private channel.” It’s lattice-based, relying on problems that are currently infeasible for both classical and quantum computers to solve efficiently. • ML-DSA It is based on CRYSTALS-Dilithium. This is the new standard for digital signatures. It answers two questions: Did this message really come from the sender? Has it been altered? This is what secures: • software updates • blockchain transactions • authentication systems Think of it as: “Proof that this came from me and hasn’t been tampered with.” Why are ML-KEM and ML-DSA called lattice-based? Because their security comes from solving very hard problems in structured high-dimensional math called lattices, specifically module-lattice problems. • SLH-DSA It is derived from SPHINCS+ which is also used for digital signatures but built very differently. Instead of lattice math, it relies on hash-based cryptography. This matters because it introduces diversity. If lattice-based systems ever face unexpected weaknesses, SLH-DSA acts as a fallback. Although it has some tradeoffs ranging from larger signatures to slower performance. But it is stronger from a risk management perspective Think of it as: “A different lock, built on completely different physics.” So in simple terms: ML-KEM secures communication ML-DSA verifies identity SLH-DSA is a backup verification system • STARKs These are proof systems used to verify computation efficiently, especially in scaling systems like Starknet and other zero-knowledge-style architectures. They are often described as post-quantum or quantum-resistant because they rely on hash-based techniques and avoid some of the structured assumptions used by other proof systems. STARKs may be quantum-resistant, but the overall system still depends on other components like signatures, key management, hashing, and protocol design. This is because quantum security is end-to-end, not just one layer. — Overall migrations like this take years when you consider how long it will take to go from Standards -> implementations -> audits -> adoption -> key rotation. We may be early but it has already started and it is good that we are replacing the existing cryptography frameworks with the cryptography of the quantum age because it’s necessary.