Quantum catastrophe explained: Understanding post-quantum cryptography and its necessity (Initial edition of 2)
Modern personal computers have made remarkable advancements since the introduction of home computing 50 years ago. Processors have sped up by about 10,000 times, storage capacity has increased by around 100,000 times, and RAM capacity has grown up to a million times. However, despite these strides, computers today still resemble their 1970s counterparts in appearance and functionality, much like bicycles and automobiles that underwent significant changes and yet remained familiar.
A striking exception to this pattern is the quantum computer, a cutting-edge, unfamiliar technology proposed by American physicists Paul Benioff and Richard Feynman in the 1980s. Quantum computers are designed to handle complex computations based on the principles of quantum mechanics, which ordinary computers cannot.
Classical computers, such as our laptops and smartphones, use binary digits, or bits, to store data, representing either zero or one. In contrast, quantum bits, or qubits, operate on the concept of superpositions, allowing a system of quantum particles to exist in multiple states simultaneously. A quantum superposition remains in this state until measured, at which point it collapses into a single state.
One of the most famous analogies illustrating this concept is Schrodinger's cat. Nobel laureate Erwin Schrödinger proposed the idea of a cat in a box, where the cat might be alive or dead but remains in a superposition until observed. Similarly, a collection of qubits may exist in various states until measured, making it challenging to simulate or store their values accurately using conventional computers.
While theoretically possible, simulating a quantum world using traditional computers requires tracking the "balance of probabilities" in the superposition of qubits, analogous to locating an invisibly wandering cat on Earth. This machinery requires monitoring a diverse, complex set of states, making even small-scale simulations impractical.
Quantum computers hold the potential to revolutionize technology, allowing calculations that would be impossible or impractical with classical computers. However, creating a reliable, functional quantum computer remains a significant challenge due to the intricacies of quantum mechanics and the impact of various external factors on qubits.
In 1994, American mathematician Peter Shor developed a quantum algorithm that attacks the discrete logarithm problem, a fundamental aspect of modern cryptography. This algorithm could potentially crack the two most popular encryption methods used today for online security, according to a 2024 KPMG article, making quantum computers highly sought after for their cryptographic cracking potential.
Despite the challenges, researchers worldwide are working to create practical, reliable quantum computers. As the technology evolves, it is essential for organizations to be aware of the developing threat and take measures to secure their data. The US passed Public Law 117-260, mandating researchers to devise new encryption algorithms and for everyone to prepare for the integration of quantum-resistant cryptography into digital communications.
The threat of practical quantum computers capable of breaking current encryption algorithms is not imminent but is approaching within the next decade according to experts. Transitioning to post-quantum cryptography is vital to maintain data security in this evolving technological landscape.
- The development of quantum computers, which are designed based on the principles of quantum mechanics and can handle complex computations that traditional computers cannot, is set to revolutionize science and technology.
- As quantum computers, such as those being developed to potentially crack current encryption algorithms, are approaching within the next decade, it is crucial for organizations to be aware of this developing threat and prepare to transition to post-quantum cryptography for maintaining data security in the evolving technological landscape.
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