(Post-Quantum) Cryptographic Right Answers
A technical guide for developers outlines the necessary transition to post-quantum cryptography by 2029. It emphasizes that while symmetric cryptography remains robust, asymmetric standards have shifted, and AI-assisted code review is now a critical security practice.
Why it matters
As quantum computing advances, standard encryption methods are becoming obsolete, necessitating a rapid industry-wide security overhaul.
Publishing “Cryptographic Right Answers” for developers is a tradition by now. Colin Percival started in 2009 , Thomas Ptacek followed up in 2015 , and then Latacora carried on in 2018 and 2024 .
It might feel too soon for an update, but so much has changed . The timeline of the post-quantum transition dramatically shifted in early 2026 , and there is now consensus that it needs to complete by 2029. 2029! We have three years!
The good news is that, despite what you might have heard, symmetric cryptography is going to be fine, because Grover does not matter . The bad news is that all asymmetric answers changed compared to 2018 and most even compared to 2024.
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