The government will train 620 specialists to help shift existing cryptographic systems to post-quantum cryptography in preparation for the era of quantum computers.

The Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA) said on Monday they will run a "post-quantum cryptography professional training" programme from July to November.

Post-quantum cryptography is encryption technology designed to remain secure against attacks using quantum computers. As quantum computing technology has advanced rapidly, the need to shift to address security threats to existing public-key cryptography has been growing. The ministry is supporting the transition of the national cryptographic system in line with the "pan-national comprehensive plan to transition to a post-quantum cryptography system" and the "first comprehensive plan to foster quantum science and technology and the quantum industry," among others.

The programme consists of 3 courses: a post-quantum cryptography development course, a transition course and a practical course. The development and transition courses will each be run for 90 people, and the practical course for 440 people, for a total of 620 specialists.

The development course is a 2-day programme covering the principles and structure of post-quantum cryptography algorithms and practical implementation techniques. The main participants include undergraduate and graduate students, security module and solution developers, and researchers. The transition course teaches procedures and application methods for changing existing public-key cryptographic systems to post-quantum cryptography. It will run scenario-based practical training for IT and security system developers and security staff at companies and institutions.

The practical course provides one day of training on domestic and international trends and policies related to post-quantum cryptography transition, as well as transition procedures and application cases. Participants include information security and information system staff at government and public institutions and private companies.

Recruitment for trainees for the development and transition courses begins on June 30. The schedule for recruiting for the practical course will be announced separately later. More details are available on the Encryption Use Activation website.

Im Jeong-gyu (임정규), director general for Information Security Network Policy at the ministry, said, "Transitioning to post-quantum cryptography in preparation for the future quantum computing era is an essential task for strengthening national digital trust and cyber security capabilities." He added, "Through this professional training, which begins for the first time this year, we will train excellent personnel in a timely manner to lead the transition to post-quantum cryptography."