The invention of data encryption changed digital communication in the modern era. Before encryption became widespread, digital communication was no different from sending a postcard. Anyone who intercepted these messages could easily read the content.
Things began to change when encryption became widespread in the 1970s. This technology, particularly public-key cryptography, allowed for the secure exchange of information between parties. This was revolutionary because everything, from personal conversations to financial transactions and sensitive business communications, could be kept private and confidential.
Without encryption, the privacy we take for granted when we send messages, bank, or shop online would be impossible. For decades, we have relied on cryptography as the silent guardian of digital trust. However, a disruptive force is coming in the form of quantum computing.
The threat that quantum computing poses to current encryption systems isn’t a myth or assumption. It’s also not one of those problems that you can simply shelf for the future. The United States Air Force recently awarded a contract to Q-Net Security to protect its tactical edge communication systems.
On the surface, this looks like another insignificant security contract. But a closer look at the details reveals a grim reality. The government and other industries are starting to worry about the potential impacts of quantum computing, and they’re investing in safeguards against it already.
The Quantum Computing Problem in Simple Terms
Quantum computing is a complex subject, so it's hard to explain without sounding too technical. Today's most popular cryptographic systems rely on complex mathematical problems to secure data. Regular computers will have a hard time solving these problems within a reasonable time.
But quantum computers are completely different from today’s machines. They don’t process data in binary bits. Instead, they use a system called qubits, which is capable of representing multiple states at the same time.
The consequence is that quantum computers can carry out complex calculations faster than the fastest supercomputers today - we are talking about solving a problem that will take the fastest computers 10 septillion years (10^25 years) under 5 minutes! This breakthrough opens the door to serious cybersecurity threats. Quantum computers will be able to break the most secure encryption systems today in mere seconds.
While we are still a few years away from seeing the full potential of quantum computing, adversaries aren’t waiting around. Many threat actors are adopting a “harvest now, decrypt later” strategy, where they simply steal encrypted information now, hoping to unlock it with quantum computing in the future when the technology becomes fully mature.
Why Should Everyone Care?
It goes without saying that everyone should be concerned about the threats posed by quantum computing. This is not a problem for intelligence agencies or defense organizations alone. Every aspect of modern digital life is built on data encryption.
Encryption works behind the scenes, whether you’re sending money worldwide through the banking system, storing patient data on a telemedicine system, or simply sending a personal email or text message. This technology is the only thing that keeps malicious actors away from the sensitive data transmitted across these systems. Unfortunately, today’s encryption simply can’t hold up against quantum computing.
Securing the Future Starts Now
Updating modern encryption to keep up with future standards isn’t something that can be done instantly. It’s an upgrade that’ll likely take years to implement. Banks and other institutions looking to update their cryptographic foundations will need several years to implement required changes, especially if they want to do so without interrupting their services.
Quantum computing is advancing at a rapid pace as well. This is why Governments and companies worldwide are in a race to stay ahead of the risk. The US National Security Agency (NSA) has recommended that all critical infrastructures used by the government should adopt a post-quantum cryptography (PQC) protocol within the next 10 years.
The recently signed $7 million contract between the Air Force and Q-Net Security is a good example of how the government is already making moves to stay ahead of the threat. This contract focuses on secure-by-design hardware to protect the military’s communication systems in hostile environments.
The Missouri-based company is designing physical chips that have been physically coded with pins for the military. These silicon-based chips have no software stack, operating system, or remote reprogramming capabilities, which makes them virtually unhackable even by the most powerful computers. This is a good example of a solution that can stand the security challenges of a post-quantum world.
Practical Recommendations for Technologists
As we have established, post-quantum cybersecurity concerns aren't a conversation for the military or government agencies alone. Data professionals, developers, and engineers across every industry should also start taking practical steps to prepare for this future. Here are some recommendations you can follow to start preparing:
Follow the post-quantum cryptography work of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and other institutions working on identifying and standardizing new cryptographic algorithms.
Design agile and adaptable systems flexible enough to adopt new cryptographic standards as they roll out.
Start looking at the bigger picture to see the intersection between quantum resilience and other technology niches like NLP, machine learning, big data, etc.
Looking Ahead
Reliable encryption is the foundation of every aspect of digital life today. If it fails, the economies, government, and individual trust systems we rely on will break down. This is why post-quantum security protocols are a conversation everyone should be having.
We are just a few years off from seeing the full potential of quantum computing across various fields. As this technology moves from theoretical to practical, its threat to cryptographic security is also becoming more real. As a matter of practical necessity, awareness must grow, and industry standards must evolve to adjust our security infrastructure to the realities of a post-quantum future.
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