NIST has published an updated Digital Signature Standard (DSS) and a new guideline for elliptic curve domain parameters. The new FIPS 186-5 standard retains the Digital Signature Algorithm (DSA) for verifying existing signatures but does not include new digital signature algorithms that are resistant to quantum computer attacks. The companion NIST SP 800-186 guideline includes two new Edwards curves for use with the EdDSA algorithm, which offers increased performance and side-channel resistance compared to traditional curves. However, the guideline also deprecates elliptic curves over binary fields and strongly recommends the use of other (prime) curves. The algorithms specified in these standards are not expected to provide resistance to attacks from large-scale quantum computers, and future NIST publications will specify digital signature algorithms that offer quantum-resistant security.
Keywords: Elliptic Curve, Digital Signatures, Quantum Resistance, Post-Quantum, Cryptography
