Microsoft prepare Windows 11 Against the next major threat of cybersecurity: quantum computers. In a blogMicrosoft has announced that Windows 11 Canary Build 27852 and superior are now taking charge of post-quantity cryptography, via PQC algorithms, the allegedly seminating against unmatched cryptography piracy power by quantum computers (against traditional crypto algorithms).
More specifically, Microsoft has upgraded Symcrypt (Microsoft Cryptographic Library) to take charge of ML-KEM, and ML-DSA (in addition to PQC) via its Cryptography API: next generation libraries and certificate and cryptographic messaging functions.
ML-KEM aims to help get keys against “harvest now, decrypt later“” threat. It is a threat where the attackers focus on collecting targeted data today, then storing them and waiting Quantum computers Become fast enough to break encryption on targeted data in the future.
ML-DSA is designed for scenarios that require an identity verification, as well as to maintain the integrity of digital signatures.
PQC (post-quantum cryptography) algorithms are specifically designed to counter the attacks of quantum computers, using mathematical equations that would be difficult to solve for conventional and quantum computers. However, these algorithms are much more demanding in terms of equipment, allegedly requiring larger key sizes, longer calculation times and more bandwidth than classic cryptography algorithms.
Microsoft declares that Nist has meticulously chose QPC algorithms for its top securityPerformance and compatibility. PQC is not only used by Microsoft, but it is also implemented in several industry standards such as TLS, SSH and IPSEC, which will transform it into a consumer security counter against quantum computers.
Symcrypt is the main cryptographic library of Microsoft and is used in a variety of its outgoing operating services and systems, from Microsoft 365 and Azure to Windows 11 and Windows Server 2025. Symcrypt offers safety for e-mail safety, cloud storage, web navigation, etc.
With PQC integrated in Symcrypt, Microsoft is preparing all of its Windows operating systems ecosystem and other products compared to future quantum computers. For the moment, this technology is tested in Windows 11 with the aforementioned Canary 27852 Canary Construction (or more recent), but PQC will also arrive in Linux in the near future. Microsoft did not say if or when Bitlocker could obtain a PQC update, but because of its complexity and its material requests, do not expect it to happen soon.
Quantum computers’ attacks are a real threat. Last year, Chinese researchers succeeded Crazy military quality encryption with a Wave D Quantum computer. This attack was carried out as a test, but nevertheless, it shows that quantum computers already have enough calculation power to break some of the most complex classic cryptographs in the world. This threat will not be more important than in the future as quantum computers develop and become general public.
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