Review of SHA-3 for Post-Quantum Cryptographic Applications

This review presents a comprehensive analysis of the Secure Hash Algorithm-3 (SHA-3) and its suitability for post-quantum cryptographic applications. As quantum computing poses significant threats to classical public-key cryptosystems, cryptographic hash functions such as SHA-3 are gaining renewed importance due to their inherent resistance to quantum attacks like Grover’s algorithm. The paper examines the design principles of SHA-3 based on the Keccak sponge construction, highlighting its structural advantages, security strength, and flexibility compared to earlier hash standards. Key performance metrics, including collision resistance, preimage resistance, and implementation efficiency in hardware and software environments, are critically reviewed. Furthermore, the role of SHA-3 in post-quantum security frameworks, digital signatures, authentication protocols, and blockchain systems is discussed. The review concludes that SHA-3 remains a robust and future-ready cryptographic primitive, making it a vital component in building secure post-quantum cryptographic solutions.