Cryptographic Hashing Beyond SHA: Designing collision-resistant, quantum-resilient hash functions

This paper examines the design of cryptographic hash functions beyond popular SHA algorithms with an eye to overcoming their drawbacks in the context of the new quantum computing threats. As quantum computing is introduced, known cryptographic algorithms, such as hash functions based on the SHA, are at a high risk of being broken because they are susceptible to quantum algorithms such as the Shors. This study is intended to create collision-resistant, quantum-resilient hash functions that can be used to ensure security in a post-quantum world. Some approaches offered in the study include: adaptation of hash functions to post-quantum models of cryptography, and the effectiveness of these functions in withstanding collision and pre-image attack. Among other important insights, it is evident that although quantum-resistant hash functions are promising, more development is required to achieve security, efficiency, and scalability. These findings have significant consequences to the future of secure cryptographic protocols, implying that the transition to quantum-resistant cryptography will be a key factor in protecting the integrity and confidentiality of data in the quantum world.