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RFC 9958: Post-Quantum Cryptography for Engineers

In plain English — editorial summary, not part of the RFC

The advent of a cryptographically relevant quantum computer (CRQC) would render state-of-the-art, traditional public key algorithms deployed today obsolete, as the mathematical assumptions underpinning their security would no longer hold. To address this, protocols and infrastructure must transition to post-quantum algorithms, which are designed to resist both traditional and quantum attacks. This document explains why engineers need to be aware of and understand post-quantum cryptography (PQC), and it details the impact of CRQCs on existing systems and the challenges involved in transitioning to post-quantum algorithms. Unlike previous cryptographic updates, this shift may require significant protocol redesign due to the unique properties of post-quantum algorithms.

Document record

Document ID
RFC9958
Published
June 2026
Authors
A. Banerjee; T. Reddy.K; D. Schoinianakis; T. Hollebeek; M. Ounsworth
Status
INFORMATIONAL
Stream
IETF
Area
sec
Pages
42
Also known as
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The document record above — title, authors, date, status, stream, area, relationships, DOI and errata — is imported verbatim from the public RFC Editor index. The “in plain English” section is editorial: written by The metasystema editorial team, not part of the RFC. Where the two differ, the RFC text governs.

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