Living definition
What is NIST HQC (Post-Quantum Backup KEM)?
Cybersecurity & Threat Defense Security & Identity
- As of
- 2026-08-20
- Revision
- 2026-08-17.1
- Method
- v1.3.0
Definition
The term, in context
AI-assisted draft · approved dataset
NIST HQC is a code-based key encapsulation mechanism selected as a backup to the primary lattice-based post-quantum standard, so that public-key encryption does not rest on a single family of mathematical assumptions. Its security derives from the difficulty of decoding random quasi-cyclic codes, an unrelated hard problem, meaning a future break in lattice assumptions would not automatically carry over to it.
Live readiness status
Status as of the current dateline
AI-assisted assembly · derived results
As of 2026-08-20, verified readiness is 25 (claimed 45, reported 33, gap 20) — Growing evidence strength; current signals suggest Track; not yet.
The readiness fact belongs to the canonical Readiness Verdict for NIST HQC (Post-Quantum Backup KEM).
Dataset approval
Human editorial release
pragma.vision editorial — standing authorization (operator dev@soft.house, 2026-07-17)
- Dataset
- 2026-08-17.1
- Hash
- sha256:0c37108a182f510fc8cf4d1dfc3a30339f2b59e62654201edea2f530a268707e
- Approved
- 2026-08-17