In August 2024, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) released its first three finalized standards for post-quantum cryptography (PQC)—a milestone that marks the beginning of a global transition to quantum-resistant security. While these standards run on classical computers, they’re designed to protect against a looming threat: the cryptographically relevant quantum computer (CRQC).

A CRQC, a quantum machine capable of breaking today’s encryption, is not science fiction. It’s a rapidly approaching reality. While algorithms are at the heart of PQC, they are only as strong as the entropy they rely on.

This is where most systems fall short, and where Real Random sets a new standard.

What Is Post-Quantum Cryptography?

Post-quantum cryptography refers to encryption techniques designed to remain secure even in the presence of a CRQC. These computers, once operational, will be able to break widely used cryptographic systems like RSA and ECC in a matter of minutes. That means encrypted data stored today could be compromised tomorrow using a technique known as Harvest Now, Decrypt Later.

PQC algorithms, such as those now standardized by NIST, are designed to resist both classical and quantum attacks. But deploying these algorithms isn’t as simple as a software patch—it demands a reevaluation of how we generate and manage randomness across our systems.

You can read more about the PQC standards and their context in Google’s post on post-quantum cryptography.

The Real Bottleneck: Entropy Quality

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. However, most digital systems still 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: A Foundation for Quantum-Safe Encryption

Real Random provides a radically different solution: true physical entropy at scale. Our hardware doesn’t simulate randomness, it captures it from real-world physics.

Key Features:

• Brownian Motion Capture: Our patented devices use suspended particles in motion to generate maximum entropy—verifiable, unpredictable, and quantum-secure.. Human-Verifiable Security: Visual inspection of our entropy chambers makes tampering not just detectable, but obvious.
• Scalable Deployment: Rack-mountable units for data centers, portable models for edge use, and cloud-based Entropy-as-a-Service (EaaS).
• Cloud-Native Integration: RESTful APIs ready for PQC workflows, including support for OpenSSL, CryptoAPI, and PKCS#11. SDK’s in the product roadmap for 2025 Q4. 

Read more about physical entropy at scale in our June 2025, white paper here.

Why Entropy Integrity Matters More Than Ever

Post-quantum cryptography isn’t just a new set of algorithms, it’s a new bar for system integrity. And entropy lies at the core.

Here’s why:

• Key Predictability: Poor entropy creates mathematically weak keys, even under post-quantum algorithms.
• Nonce Reuse: Inadequate randomness undermines authentication protocols, enabling session hijacks.
• Forward Secrecy Failure: Without fresh, true entropy, even encrypted historical data becomes vulnerable to future quantum attacks.

Real Random directly addresses these risks by providing an entropy backbone that meets or exceeds the needs of PQC.

Getting Ready: A Roadmap to Post-Quantum Security

Transitioning to PQC is complex, but there are clear steps to get ahead:

1. Perform a Cryptographic Inventory

Understand where encryption is used, what algorithms are in play, and what entropy sources feed them.

2. Validate Your Entropy

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)

3. Implement Crypto Agility

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.

4. Pilot Real Entropy

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

Built for the Quantum Era

Real Random isn’t just a vision for the future, it’s a production-ready solution built to meet the security demands of today and tomorrow. Our platform is engineered to help organizations confidently adopt post-quantum cryptography with minimal disruption and maximum trust.

Why Real Random Stands Apart:

• Quantum-Secure Entropy
  Physical randomness that meets the stringent requirements of PQC, backed by ongoing validation efforts including pending NIST Entropy Source Validation (ESV) certification.
• Deployment Flexibility
  From rack-mounted servers in enterprise data centers to portable devices at the network edge, Real Random delivers high-quality entropy wherever it’s needed.
• Built for Integration
  With APIs that support industry-standard protocols like OpenSSL, PKCS#11, and CryptoAPI, Real Random plugs into existing infrastructures, so you don’t have to start from scratch.
• Designed for Security Teams
  Tamper-evident hardware and optically verifiable entropy sources provide assurance that can be validated by human eyes, not just algorithms.
• Backed by a Global IP Portfolio
  Our patented entropy generation methods are protected in major markets including the U.S., EU, Japan, and China, offering long-term strategic value.

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-World Application: Securing Sensitive Government & Fortune 500 Chat Communications

“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) 

Ready to Own Your Entropy?

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.