The future of internet security is already here, and it’s quietly working in your web browser. While the threat of quantum computers breaking current encryption is real, a powerful new solution is already being rolled out.
The Quantum Threat and a Hybrid Solution
For decades, we’ve relied on encryption standards that are incredibly difficult for today’s computers to break. However, the development of quantum computers threatens to make these methods obsolete. These powerful machines will eventually be able to solve the complex mathematical problems that keep our data safe.
This creates an immediate problem known as “Harvest Now, Decrypt Later”. Malicious actors can capture and store encrypted data today, waiting for the day a quantum computer can unlock it all.
Fortunately, we don’t have to wait for that day to act. The solution is a clever strategy called hybrid encryption. This approach combines a traditional, well-understood encryption algorithm with a new, quantum-resistant one. The result is a connection that remains secure as long as at least one of the methods is unbroken. This gives us the best of both worlds: the proven security of current methods and protection against the computers of the future.
Meet X25519MLKEM768: Your New Default Protection
The leading hybrid solution, now the default for major browsers like Chrome, Edge, and Firefox, is called X25519MLKEM768. In theory, this algorithm is quantum-secure, although we can’t be 100% certain until there are working quantum computers to test it against.
This algorithm combines two powerful methods:
- X25519: The current, highly secure elliptic curve encryption used across the internet.
- ML-KEM-768: A leading quantum-secure algorithm.
Because this is a hybrid system, even if a flaw were discovered in the new quantum algorithm, your connection would still be at least as secure as it is today. This ensures a safe transition to a quantum-resistant future.
No Need to Panic, It’s Already Here
The good news is that this protection is already being implemented. Modern browsers automatically use this new hybrid encryption whenever they connect to a server that supports it. On the server side, adoption is also growing. For instance, the latest version of the Caddy web server (v2.10.0, released in April 2025) already supports X25519MLKEM768.
This proactive rollout means we are already building an internet that is resilient to quantum attacks. You can browse with the confidence that your data is being protected against both current and future threats.
At Vertex Cyber Security, we believe in providing great cyber security for all. Staying ahead of emerging threats is what we do. If you have any questions about how to protect your business in this evolving digital landscape, please feel free to contact us.
