Definition ∞ Hash-Based Schemes are a class of cryptographic algorithms that derive their security primarily from the properties of cryptographic hash functions. These schemes are considered promising candidates for post-quantum cryptography due to their resistance against attacks by quantum computers. They are typically used for digital signatures and are designed to provide strong security guarantees even in the face of advanced computational capabilities. Their efficiency and key sizes are important considerations for practical implementation.
Context ∞ Current research and development in cryptography heavily involves hash-based schemes as a primary defense against future quantum computing threats. A key debate surrounds the trade-offs between the security strength, signature size, and verification speed of different hash-based approaches. Future developments anticipate the standardization and widespread deployment of these algorithms to secure digital communications and transactions against quantum attacks.