This article outlines experimental protocols being developed by NIST rather than formalized standards, focusing on secure random number generation and early-stage quantum computing hardware. Researchers are using fundamental physics tests to create completely unpredictable random numbers, aiming to establish a reliable foundation for future cryptographic benchmarks. The work remains in the active research phase, with no official implementation timelines announced yet as experiments continue in laboratory settings.
On the computing side, NIST is advancing hardware by controlling individual atoms (ions) and linking them across distances using teleportation-like techniques to perform basic computing tasks. These efforts are designed to overcome current hardware limits and pave the way for machines that solve complex problems faster than traditional computers. If successful, the methods could eventually shape industry-wide security protocols and performance benchmarks, though widespread adoption will depend on further testing and eventual standardization by technical groups.
Source: https://www.nist.gov/itl/itl-speakers-bureau/quantum-science/scott-glancy
Keywords: random number generation, trapped ions, local realism