Author: Bakhmat M.
The advent of powerful quantum computers poses a significant threat to existing cybersecurity measures, particularly public-key cryptography which is widely used to secure online communications and transactions. The potential ability of a large-scale quantum computer to break current encryption standards is sometimes referred to as the “quantum apocalypse”.
The Quantum Threat to Cryptography
Classical cryptographic protocols, such as RSA, rely on the computational difficulty for classical computers to solve certain mathematical problems, like factoring large numbers. However, quantum algorithms like Shor’s algorithm can solve these problems exponentially faster on a quantum computer. While current quantum computers are not yet powerful enough to break modern encryption, the progress in the field means organizations must prepare now for this future threat.
Should we be concerned about a quantum apocalypse affecting cybersecurity? Yes, the concern is real. The “quantum clock is ticking,” and the exchange of business value built on reliable cryptographic standards is under threat. While a “quantum apocalypse” scenario where all encryption breaks overnight is unlikely, the risk is that data encrypted today could be stored and later decrypted by future quantum computers (known as “harvest now, decrypt later”).
Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC)
To counter the quantum threat, researchers and organizations are developing post-quantum cryptography (PQC), which refers to cryptographic algorithms that are designed to be resistant to attacks by both classical and quantum computers. The transition to quantum-safe cryptography is essential for preserving the integrity of digital trust mechanisms.
IBM offers IBM Quantum Safe technology, a comprehensive set of tools and approaches to help enterprises secure themselves for the quantum future. They have developed the IBM Quantum-Safe Readiness Index (QSRI) to assess the global state of readiness for security in the quantum era. The average quantum-safe readiness score among surveyed organizations was 21 out of 100, highlighting the significant work needed. Organizations expect it could take 12 years to fully integrate quantum-safe standards, yet national security guidance requires compliance by 2035, emphasizing the urgency to start now.
Implementing quantum-safe cryptography is not just a security practice but crucial given our growing dependency on cryptography. Companies are encouraged to begin initiatives to identify cryptographic assets and dependencies and plan the transition to new standards.
Quantum-powered AI could also be used to implement quantum cryptographic protocols to help safeguard sensitive business information.
