The quest to shield the world’s digital data from attacks by next-generation quantum computers is about to pass a critical milestone, as US authorities unveil a suite of protection tools.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology is poised to publish three approved security algorithms that governments and companies can use to safeguard information from the emerging threat of quantum hacking.

Nist’s action is part of a gathering revolution in cryptography in response to fears that quantum computers will one day be able to crack codes protecting sensitive data that have for decades proved unbreakable by less powerful traditional machines. Encrypted data is essential to the functioning of modern societies in the digital age — and keeping it secure is essential to individuals, companies and governments.