Summary
This information may be useful more generally, especially for those who interact with NSS, DoD, or DIB systems. These are mainly addressed to the following audiences: requirements for their systems NSA is not using these requirements to dictate to any other entity outside of NSS what algorithms they should use, although NSA recognizes that interoperability requirements U/OO/194427-22 | PP-24-4014 | December 2024 Ver. 2.1 NSA | CNSA Suite 2.0 and Quantum Computing FAQ or other interests may lead to scenarios where these recommendations are used by a Q: What is a quantum computer, and how is it different from the computers we A: In place of ordinary bits used by today’s computers, quantum computers use “qubits” that behave in surprising ways, efficiently performing certain mathematical algorithms exponentially faster than a classical computer. Small examples of quantum computers Q: What is a “cryptanalytically relevant quantum computer” (CRQC)? A: Also written as “cryptographically relevant quantum computer,” CRQC describes quantum computers that are capable of attacking real world cryptographic systems. Whether the “C” indicates “cryptanalytically” or “cryptographically” is a matter of writer’s preference, as the two terms are essentially equivalent in this context.