NIST Selects HQC as Fifth Post-Quantum Cryptographic Algorithm

The U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) officially selects HQC (Hamming Quasi-Cyclic) as its fifth post-quantum encryption algorithm, providing a mathematically distinct backup to ML-KEM (structured lattices) by using error-correcting codes. HQC joins four algorithms finalized in 2024 — ML-KEM (FIPS 203), ML-DSA (FIPS 204), SLH-DSA (FIPS 205), and FALCON — in preparing global cryptographic infrastructure against future quantum computer attacks. A draft HQC standard is expected within one year.