Lattice-Based Cryptography: Foundation of PQC Education Lattice-Based Cryptography: Foundation of PQC 12 min read Why Lattices Matter Three of the four algorithms NIST selected for post-quantum standardization in 2022 are built on lattice mathematics: ML-KEM (FIPS 203) for key encapsulation, ML-DSA (FIPS 204) for digital signatures, and FN-DSA (draft FIPS 206 (draft)) for compact signatures. Lattice-based cryptography is, by selection volume, the dominant foundation of the post-quantum era. This article explains what lattices are, why the mathematical problems they pose are believed to resist quantum computers, and how ML-KEM and ML-DSA translate those hard problems into practical encryption and signing algorithms. Every claim about hardness, history, and algorithm design is grounded in published academic research and NIST documentation. What Is a Lattice? A lattice is a regular, repeating grid of points in multi-dimensional space.…