Living definition
What is NIST HQC (Post-Quantum Backup KEM)?
Cybersecurity & Threat DefenseSecurity & Identity
- As of
- 2026-10-09
- Revision
- 2026-10-06.1
- Method
- v1.4.0
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 2026-10-09, verified readiness is 25 (claimed 35, reported 35, gap 10) — Strong evidence strength; current signals suggest Evaluate HQC in isolated backup-KEM experiments with explicit version controls.
The readiness fact belongs to the canonical Readiness Verdict for NIST HQC (Post-Quantum Backup KEM).
Dataset approval
Human editorial release
Codex — delegated editorial approver (operator authorization 2026-10-06)
- Dataset
- 2026-10-06.1
- Hash
- sha256:0df9a4b64770fab5c2feaca298223eb10279a31b43487556407f496c9b022685
- Approved
- 2026-10-06