The IETF is developing new standards to protect internet security against future quantum computers. A collaborative team from Mauritius, Kenya, and the US is integrating these post-quantum cryptography (PQC) protocols into popular open-source software like Wireshark and GnuTLS. They are using ML-KEM, a specific protocol designed to secure TLS 1.3 connections so data remains safe even if powerful quantum computers emerge.
These standards are currently being tested and reviewed by the IETF TLS Working Group, with contributions already merged into software projects. New tools for publishing these documents are scheduled for release in May 2026. This initiative aims to help African regions adopt modern security standards faster, ensuring long-term protection for nearly 1.5 billion people against evolving technology threats.
Source: https://www.ietf.org/blog/open-source-software-post-quantum-cryptography-from-africa/
Keywords: post-quantum cryptography, ML-KEM, TLS 1.3
