In August 2024, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) released its first three finalized post-quantum cryptography (PQC) standards, marking a major turning point in the global shift toward quantum-resistant security. These standards run on today’s classical computers, but they’re designed to defend against a fast-approaching threat: the cryptographically relevant quantum computer (CRQC).
A CRQC is no longer theoretical. It represents a real and accelerating risk to modern encryption. While PQC focuses on new cryptographic algorithms, those algorithms are only as strong as the entropy behind them.
Weak or predictable randomness undermines even the most advanced quantum-safe math. This is where most systems break down, and where Real Random raises the bar.
Post-quantum cryptography protects data against attackers equipped with cryptographically relevant quantum computers. Once operational, these machines will break widely used encryption methods like RSA and ECC in minutes. That creates an immediate risk: attackers can capture encrypted data today and decrypt it later when quantum capabilities mature—a strategy known as Harvest Now, Decrypt Later.
NIST-standardized PQC algorithms are built to withstand both classical and quantum attacks. But adopting them isn’t just a software upgrade. It requires rethinking how systems generate, validate, and scale high-quality randomness—the foundational ingredient of secure cryptography.
For additional context on PQC standards and industry adoption, see Google’s post on post-quantum cryptography.
One of the most overlooked challenges in PQC migration is the entropy crisis. These next-generation algorithms demand far more high-quality randomness than their predecessors. Most digital systems depend on pseudorandom number generators (PRNGs), software-based simulations that eventually repeat and can be predicted with enough computational power.
The danger here isn’t theoretical. A landmark study in 2012 called, Mining Your Ps and Qs: Detection of Widespread Weak Keys in Network Devices, found that weak entropy led to widespread compromised TLS and SSH keys across embedded and IoT devices. Quantum computing only amplifies this risk.
Without verifiable, tamper-evident entropy, even the strongest PQC algorithms can be fatally flawed.
Real Random delivers a radically different solution: true physical entropy at scale. Unlike PRNGs, our patented entropy generation devices capture randomness from real-world physics, ensuring quantum-grade security. For example, our Entropy-as-a-Service platform provides scalable, cloud-based randomness for PQC-ready systems.
Post-quantum cryptography isn’t a new set of algorithms, it’s a new bar for system integrity. And entropy lies at the core.
Here’s why:
Real Random directly addresses these risks by providing an entropy backbone that meets or exceeds the needs of PQC.
Transitioning to PQC is complex, but there are clear steps to get ahead:
Understand where encryption is used, what algorithms are in play, and what entropy sources feed them.
Audit your current entropy sources. If they rely on PRNGs or standard hardware RNGs, they may not be suitable for PQC. (also noted in the 2012 Mining Your Ps and Qs study)
Use abstraction layers and libraries that make it easy to swap in post-quantum algorithms and entropy sources without rewriting your stack. Real Random’s API ecosystem is built for this.
Start integrating Entropy-as-a-Service or hardware entropy modules into non-critical systems to test performance, integration, and resilience. The Real Random API can be adopted with only 4 lines of code, watch this video to see how we replaced ECC in our customer’s VPN product: https://www.loom.com/share/bec83ffff01f4b00b1d20018da267728
Real Random delivers a production-ready solution built to meet today’s security demands and tomorrow’s quantum threats. We empower organizations to deploy post-quantum cryptography today, reducing operational friction while establishing a trusted foundation for the quantum era.
Whether you’re securing critical infrastructure, financial transactions, healthcare systems, or IoT fleets, Real Random provides the entropy infrastructure you’ll need to make PQC truly secure.
“Real Random is helping us answer customer questions about our ability to address the threat of quantum”
– Alex White, CTO of Glacier.chat (an early adopter serving the national intelligence community)
The quantum threat is no longer speculative. And post-quantum readiness isn’t just about algorithms, it starts at the root of trust.
Own your entropy. Protect your future.
Contact Real Random to begin your PQC journey with a complimentary 1 million bits of quantum-grade entropy.
