A review of the cryptographic approaches to data security: The impact of quantum computing, evolving challenges and future solutions

Cryptography plays a fundamental role in defending digital data against cyberthreats and emerging quantum computer capabilities. This review discusses core cryptographic techniques such as symmetric encryption, asymmetric encryption and cryptographic hashing, as well as advanced techniques like lattice-based cryptography , code-based cryptography, multi-variate polynomial cryptography and hash-based cryptography that are quantum resistant. The review share insight into the applications of cryptographic techniques in securing communications, encrypting databases, blockchain technology, and health care ensuring that the confidentiality and integrity of data is maintained while also addressing the current need for continuing resistance to future quantum attacks. Additionally, this review discusses critical problems in implementation, usability, and the threat that quantum computing poses to existing cryptographic techniques and offers insights into quantum resistant algorithms.