Quantum Standards
The regulatory and technical frameworks that guide every Q-Readiness assessment. NIST-aligned, CNSA 2.0 compliant, globally aware.
United States — NIST
The US National Institute of Standards and Technology finalized the world's first PQC standards in August 2024. These are the global benchmark and the foundation of our assessment methodology.
ML-KEM
Module-Lattice Key Encapsulation. Replaces RSA key exchange and ECDH. Based on CRYSTALS-Kyber.
ML-DSA
Module-Lattice Digital Signature Algorithm. Replaces RSA signatures and ECDSA. Based on CRYSTALS-Dilithium.
SLH-DSA
Stateless Hash-Based Digital Signature. Backup scheme for high-security applications. Based on SPHINCS+.
CNSA 2.0 Timeline
NSA's Commercial National Security Algorithm Suite 2.0 mandates PQC migration for national security systems. Phase 1 (software/firmware signing): January 2027. Full compliance required through 2033. Non-national-security organizations follow NIST IR 8547: deprecation by 2030, removal by 2035.
Europe — EU & ETSI
Europe takes a coordinated approach combining a skills framework, an implementation roadmap, and technical standards from ETSI.
CFQT 3.0
European Competence Framework for Quantum Technologies. Defines quantum competencies from boardroom to lab. Central to the European Quantum Readiness Center. Version 3.0 released April 2025.
ETSI QSC & EU Roadmap
EU Coordinated Implementation Roadmap aligns PQC adoption across member states. ETSI Quantum-Safe Cryptography working group develops complementary specs including Covercrypt hybrid encryption.
Regulatory Drivers
DORA (Digital Operational Resilience Act) requires crypto-agility for EU financial sector. NIS2 Directive covers essential entities. ENISA provides guidance on PQC migration aligned with NIST standards.
China — GB/T & Independent Standards
China is building independent infrastructure and cryptographic standards, deliberately diverging from the NIST path with a focus on "structureless lattice" algorithms.
GB/T 47177.1-2026
China's first national standard for quantum computing services. Establishes a unified framework for cloud-based quantum computing platforms.
National PQC Standards
China launched a global call for PQC algorithm proposals in February 2025. Focus on "structureless lattice" algorithms. Standards expected within three years. Independent from NIST.
Divergence from NIST
Chinese experts have expressed concerns about the security of NIST's algebraic lattice algorithms. The national program focuses on alternative mathematical foundations, potentially creating a two-track global PQC ecosystem. Organizations with operations or supply chains in China should monitor this divergence.
Japan — CRYPTREC
Japan follows a NIST-aligned approach through CRYPTREC (Cryptography Research and Evaluation Committees), which evaluates cryptographic algorithms for government use. The National Cyber Command Office (NCO) set a 2035 deadline for full government PQC transition.
NCO Interim Report (Nov 2025)
Government agencies must fully transition to PQC by 2035. Recommends cryptographic agility, hybrid PQ/traditional schemes, and urgent action against HNDL attacks.
CRYPTREC Evaluation
Ongoing evaluation of legacy cipher decommissioning and PQC adoption, following NIST standardization progress. Implementation roadmap planned for FY26.
Comparison Summary
| Feature | US (NIST) | EU | China | Japan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Standards | FIPS 203, 204, 205 | CFQT 3.0 + EU Roadmap + ETSI | GB/T 47177.1 + National PQC (dev) | NIST-aligned — CRYPTREC evaluating |
| Status | Finalized (Aug 2024) | Active (2025) | Partial (2026) / Dev (PQC) | Active — FY26 roadmap |
| Focus | Cryptographic algorithms | Workforce + coordinated migration | Infrastructure + independent algorithms | Crypto agility + hybrid transition |
| Global Alignment | Global benchmark | Aligning with NIST, building own ecosystem | Independent path | NIST-aligned |
Every Q-Readiness assessment is NIST-aligned and CNSA 2.0 compliant. We track all four regulatory ecosystems to ensure global coverage.
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