DevFest 2025 | The NIST PQC Standards and The Crypto-Agile Mindset ⚖️

DevFest 2025 | The NIST PQC Standards and The Crypto-Agile Mindset ⚖️
DevFest 2025: Building Safe, Secure and Scalable Solutions with AI and Cloud.

This year, DevFest 2025 will empower developer communities worldwide to architect the future. We'll focus on driving the practical integration of AI and Google Cloud into their solutions. Our goal is to equip developers with the skills to build innovative, scalable, and ethically sound applications, acknowledging their pivotal role in shaping a technology-driven future that benefits everyone.

Navigating the NIST PQC Landscape: Algorithms, Standards, and the AI Connection 

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has finalized the first set of post-quantum cryptography (PQC) standards. 
This session will be a deep dive into the three selected algorithms: ML-KEM, ML-DSA, and SLH-DSA. 
We'll explore their mathematical foundations, intended applications, and practical implementation considerations. 
Most importantly, we'll connect this to the role of AI, both as a potential cryptanalytic threat and as a critical tool for building "crypto-agile" systems that can adapt to the quantum era.

Key Themes:

NIST Standards ✅
PQC Algorithms 📊
Key Exchange 🔑
Digital Signatures ✍️
The AI Connection 🤖
Crypto-Agility 🤸

Recommended background: 
A basic understanding of the PQC threat model from Event 1 is recommended. Some familiarity with the concepts of key exchange and digital signatures will be helpful.

Recommended Resources:

NIST FIPS 203, 204, 205: The official, finalized standards for ML-KEM, ML-DSA, and SLH-DSA.
NIST PQC Migration Report: Official guidance from NIST on how organizations should plan their transition to post-quantum cryptography.
IBM's PQC Resources: A collection of articles and tools from IBM's research team on their PQC implementation efforts.
Cloudflare's Blog on PQC: In-depth technical articles on Cloudflare's experience implementing PQC in their own infrastructure.

What is AI Quantum Clubs?
Building upon the foundations of our AI Study Jams and AI Math Clubs, the AI Quantum Clubs campaign is designed to explore the crucial and rapidly evolving world of Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC).

This initiative focuses on equipping developers and enthusiasts with the knowledge to understand and address the looming quantum threat to our digital security. We will provide a clear, intuitive path to learning about new quantum-resistant algorithms and how to implement them in a way that future-proofs our code and infrastructure.

Let's learn together! Strengthen your skills and take the next step on your journey to becoming a future-ready developer.

#AIQuantumClubs #QuantumComputing #QuantumAI #NISTPQC #MLKEM #MLDSA #SLHDSA #AI #QuantumCryptography #CryptoAgility #DevFest2025

Agenda

4:00 PM: Welcome & Series Introduction 👋

Welcome attendees to the new series of AI Quantum Clubs, and provide a high-level overview of the event.

4:05 PM: The NIST PQC Standardization Process 📜

Recap the goals of the NIST project.

Discuss the rigorous, multi-round process of evaluating algorithms.

Introduce the three finalized standards.

4:15 PM: ML-KEM, ML-DSA, and SLH-DSA Explained 🧠

Explain the purpose of ML-KEM (Kyber) for Key Encapsulation Mechanisms (KEMs).

Detail the two digital signature standards: ML-DSA (Dilithium) and SLH-DSA (SPHINCS+), highlighting their different design philosophies and performance trade-offs.

4:25 PM: The AI Connection: Attacker and Defender 🤖

Define how AI can act as an attacker by accelerating cryptanalysis or performing side-channel attacks on PQC implementations.

Present the counter-narrative: how AI can be used to optimize PQC algorithms and build more secure, adaptive systems.

4:35 PM: Embracing Crypto-Agility ⚙️

Define "crypto-agility" and discuss its importance for the future.

Provide conceptual examples of how to design a system with flexible cryptographic modules, ready for both new PQC algorithms and future AI-based threats.

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Speaker

Anna Muzykina - GDG Ahlen (GDG Ahlen Organiser | NASA Space Apps Ahlen Lead Organiser | Flutter Developer | WTM Ambassador | WiDS Ambassador)

I’m a dedicated Flutter Developer and AI Engineer with a strong focus on community building and empowering women in technology. As the Google Developers Group Organizer for Ahlen and AI Agents Academy Ahlen Organizer, I actively foster tech communities and mentor women entering the industry. As a Women Techmakers Ambassador (WTM), I provide guidance and support to aspiring women technologists.…

Hosted By

Anna Muzykina, GDG Organizer

Passionate Flutter Developer & AI Engineer | Google Developers Group Ahlen Organizer | Flutter Ahlen Organizer | Women Techmakers Ambassador | Quantum Computing & ML Explorer | Mentor at Groundbreaker | Community Builder

Passionate about empowering women in tech through community building, mentorship, and knowledge sharing. I’m a skilled Flutter developer with a strong foundation in Dart, Firebase, and AI ecosystems, and I’m proficient in cross-platform development using frameworks like Flutter and React. Currently, I’m exploring the potential of AI and ML, with a focus on Vertex AI and Gemini, to bring innovative solutions to mobile app development. Known for my ability to quickly adapt to new technologies and consistently deliver high-quality results, I thrive in collaborative environments and approach each challenge with a growth-oriented mindset.

Denys Doroshev, Organizer

I'm a Product Manager and Organizer for Google Developers Group (GDG) Ahlen, where I work to foster innovation, collaboration, and growth within the developer community.

In my professional career, I serve as a Senior Regional Sales Manager at Metal Work Pneumatic, focusing on B2B sales in industries like metallurgy, machine building, and agriculture across Ukraine. I also work as a Technical Director at Bray International, Inc., where I specialize in system integration and providing engineering solutions for large enterprises.

With over a decade of experience in technical management and sales, I am passionate about connecting people, ideas, and businesses to drive impactful change in the tech and industrial sectors.

Complete your event RSVP here: https://gdg.community.dev/events/details/google-gdg-ahlen-presents-devfest-2025-the-nist-pqc-standards-and-the-crypto-agile-mindset/.