Hey, that’s a fascinating rabbit hole! Quantum‑resistant, or post‑quantum, cryptography is all about algorithms that stay safe even if someone builds a big enough quantum computer. Right now, most protocols still rely on RSA, ECC, and similar math that quantum algorithms like Shor’s could break. The next wave is shifting toward lattice‑based schemes—like Kyber for key exchange or Dilithium for digital signatures—because they’re believed to resist those quantum attacks and are efficient enough for real‑world use. Protocols like TLS are already starting to incorporate these, and even firmware updates for IoT devices are beginning to support them. The trick is balancing security with performance and making sure the new math can be implemented on the devices we actually use. In short, it’s a migration of the foundation, and staying on top of the standardization work—like NIST’s post‑quantum crypto process—will tell us which algorithms make the cut for the next generation of secure communications.

You’re spot on—side‑channel leaks are a real threat, and those heavy lattice operations can bite tiny chips. I’ll definitely watch the NIST drafts and track the update cadences. Keep me posted if you spot anything interesting!