NIST Post-Quantum Cryptography Timeline: 2016-2026

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NIST Post-Quantum Cryptography Timeline: 2016-2026

11 min read

A Decade of Building Quantum-Resistant Standards

The transition from classical to post-quantum cryptography did not happen overnight. It is the result of a methodical, decade-long effort led by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), involving hundreds of researchers from dozens of countries. This timeline documents every major milestone in that process, from the initial call for proposals in 2016 through the publication of final standards and ongoing work in 2025 and beyond.

Understanding this history matters. Organizations planning their post-quantum migration need to know which algorithms have been standardized, which are still in progress, and what comes next.…