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filip_3012
Participant
September 29, 2025
Answered

Post quantum cryptography (PQC) in PDF signatures

  • September 29, 2025
  • 3 replies
  • 409 views

Hello,

I would like to ask if there is any support, initiative, or research for signatures using post-quantum cryptography.

 

There is the PAdES specification, based on ISO 32000-1, which is supported in Acrobat, but it's quite old.

 

Does Acrobat support some format of PDF signatures using PQC? If not, are there any plans or a roadmap?

 

Thank you.

Correct answer Meenakshi_Negi

Hi filip_3012,

 

Thank you for reaching out.

 

Currently, Acrobat does not support it. We do not have any information at this moment on whether there is any plan or roadmap for this. Once we have information, we will update you.

You may refer to the following help document for more information on signature in Acrobat:  https://adobe.ly/3WipT0o. 

 

Thanks,

Meenakshi

3 replies

Rizwan Akbar
Rizwan Akbar
Participant
March 30, 2026

Hi ​@Meenakshi_Negi ,

 

May I know if there is any update on the Adobe PQC implementation. We are working on the new PKI and we would like to setup the PKI using the NIST PQC algorithm. The CA application, HSMs, all have the PQC implementation except Adobe. Could you please check internally when Adobe is going to support the PQC algorithms?

Thanks,

Meenakshi0101
Community Manager
Meenakshi0101Community Manager
Community Manager
March 30, 2026

Hi Rizwan Akbar,

 

Thank you for reaching out.

 

We still do not have any information on this. However, we will check internally with the team. If there are any updates related to this, we will share them here.

 

Thanks,

Meenakshi

Rizwan Akbar
Rizwan Akbar
Participant
March 31, 2026

Hi Meenakshi,

Google has set a target of 2029 for migration to post-quantum cryptography (PQC) [1].

Major platforms have already started introducing PQC support. Apple has enabled support in iOS 26 [2], while Microsoft has introduced PQC capabilities in Windows Server 2025, Windows 11 (versions 24H2 and 25H2), and .NET 10 [3]. Similarly, Thales has added PQC support in the Luna HSM 7 series with firmware version 7.9 (released in 2025) [4]. Our CA and signing servers have also incorporated PQC support during 2025.

At this stage, the remaining dependency is Adobe, as our digitally signed documents are primarily accessed and validated by clients using Adobe applications. We would appreciate it if you could share your roadmap or expected timeline for PQC support in Adobe products.


[1] https://blog.google/innovation-and-ai/technology/safety-security/cryptography-migration-timeline/ 

[2] https://support.apple.com/en-qa/guide/security/secc7c82e533/web
[3] https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoft-security-blog/post-quantum-cryptography-apis-now-generally-available-on-microsoft-platforms/4469093
[4] https://cpl.thalesgroup.com/blog/encryption/luna-hsm-pqc-quantum-safe-encryption
 

MikelKlink
MikelKlink
Participating Frequently
September 30, 2025
quote

I would like to ask if there is any support, initiative, or research for signatures using post-quantum cryptography.

 

The PDF Association currently is looking into PQC signature algorithm use in PDFs.

 

quote

There is the PAdES specification, based on ISO 32000-1, which is supported in Acrobat, but it's quite old.

 

Well, the current version of the ETSI PAdES specification (ETSI EN 319 142-1 V1.2.1) is not that old: 2024-01... 😉

 

Nonetheless, PAdES itself is specified independently from the signature algorithms to use.

There is a recommendation to use the ETSI TS 119 312 algorithms and parameters but not a requirement. Thus, PAdES can be used in combination with PQC algorithms without issues.

By the way, there is an ETSI work item for updating ETSI TS 119 312 to include PQC algorithms...

    F
    filip_3012Author
    Participant
    September 30, 2025

    Thanks, i know about ETSI TS 119 312 but didn't know about upcoming update.

    MikelKlink
    MikelKlink
    Participating Frequently
    September 30, 2025
    quote

    Thanks, i know about ETSI TS 119 312 but didn't know about upcoming update.

     

    When you search for "119312" on the ETSI site - https://www.etsi.org/standards#search=119312 - you see that there are two updates in preparation for ETSI TS 119 312. One of them - https://portal.etsi.org/webapp/workprogram/Report_WorkItem.asp?WKI_ID=74949 - is about the "Transition from SOGIS to ECCG Agreed Cryptographic Mechanisms (incl. QSC algorithms)".

      Meenakshi_Negi
      Meenakshi_NegiCorrect answer
      Legend
      September 29, 2025

      Hi filip_3012,

       

      Thank you for reaching out.

       

      Currently, Acrobat does not support it. We do not have any information at this moment on whether there is any plan or roadmap for this. Once we have information, we will update you.

      You may refer to the following help document for more information on signature in Acrobat:  https://adobe.ly/3WipT0o. 

       

      Thanks,

      Meenakshi

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