Which of the following best describes the reason PQC implementation is important?

PQC is important because it aims to develop new cryptographic algorithms that are resistant to attacks by quantum computers. This is necessary to protect long-term confidential data from being decrypted by future quantum computing capabilities, which could undermine the security of current public-key cryptography.

PQC does not primarily focus on larger key lengths through key stretching; key stretching is a technique for strengthening weak keys or passwords, distinct from quantum resistance.

PQC algorithms are generally more computationally intensive than current algorithms, so improving encryption performance and speed using lightweight cryptography is not their primary goal.

PQC aims to secure the functions of asymmetric encryption (like key exchange and digital signatures) against quantum attacks, not to leverage it directly for encrypting large amounts of data, which is typically handled by symmetric encryption.