Standardisation

Three NIST standards are final and name the core post-quantum algorithms this handbook discusses.

FIPS 203 specifies ML-KEM for key establishment. FIPS 204 specifies ML-DSA for digital signatures. FIPS 205 specifies SLH-DSA, also for digital signatures, with a hash-based design distinct from ML-DSA.

Further algorithms, protocol details, and deployment profiles remain in development. Binding post-quantum algorithms into TLS, PKIX, and supplier products is still evolving, and drafts change as implementations mature.

For the current transition, read the NIST CSRC publication pages for FIPS 203, FIPS 204, and FIPS 205, and NIST IR 8547, October 2026, Transition to Post-Quantum Cryptography Standards.

Next: Glossary.

After the glossary, continue with the home page or Curated references for deeper reading.

Sources

• NIST IR 8547, Transition to Post-Quantum Cryptography Standards, October 2026. NIST IR 8547
• NIST, FIPS 203, Module-Lattice-Based Key-Encapsulation Mechanism. FIPS 203
• NIST, FIPS 204, Module-Lattice-Based Digital Signature Algorithm. FIPS 204
• NIST, FIPS 205, Stateless Hash-Based Digital Signature Algorithm. FIPS 205

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