Signing information in the quantum era

Abstract

Signatures are primarily used as a mark of authenticity, to demonstrate that the sender of a message is who they claim to be. In the current digital age, signatures underpin trust in the vast majority of information that we exchange, particularly on public networks such as the internet. However, schemes for signing digital information, which are based on assumptions of computational complexity, are facing challenges from advances in mathematics, the capability of computers, and the advent of the quantum era. Here, the authors present a review of digital signature schemes, looking at their origins and where they are under threat. Next, the authors introduce post-quantum digital schemes, which are being developed with the specific intent of mitigating against threats from quantum algorithms while still relying on digital processes and infrastructure. Finally, the authors review schemes for signing information carried on quantum channels, which promise provable security metrics. Signatures were invented as a practical means of authenticating communications, and it is important that the practicality of novel signature schemes is considered carefully, which is kept as a common theme of interest throughout this review.