Debunking quantum myths: Quantum Computers are too dangerous!
15 January 2025
The threat of the Quantum Apocalypse keeps coming up among sensationalist media. Will there be a Q-Day when the quantum computers will be so powerful that they will break our current encryption systems?
The truth is there is a quantum algorithm capable of decrypting most communications, but it is still far from being useful today. Modern internet encryption is based on RSA, an algorithm that relies on factorizing very large numbers. Our current computers would take hundreds of years to solve RSA-2048, one of the most used. Shor’s algorithm, on the other hand, would allow quantum computers to do it much faster.
Shor’s algorithm can crack encryption by efficiently solving the factorization problem. However, quantum computers would need about 20 million qubits to factor RSA-2048, currently we only have a few hundred qubits. It is still worth mentioning that experts estimate that by 2060, quantum computers will have the power to break the most secure encryption systems. This is a huge problem since all the encrypted data that we are storing now will be easily decrypted with those quantum computers.
Still, you don’t have to worry too much about this since that’s why QSNP is here (wink, wink). We are currently developing post-quantum protocols to create a hybrid classical encryption that is quantum resistant. Some of our partners are focusing on developing the standards for the new algorithms that will keep all our secrets safe from the quantum threat.
Quantum doesn’t necessarily mean evil in this case. Leveraging quantum mechanics properties, we can also keep our communications ultra-secure. That’s what Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) does. You may have already heard about it, but in short, QKD creates quantum keys that cannot be stolen, if an eavesdropper just tries to hack into the channel the keys basically become useless, alerting the parties trying to communicate that the channel has been corrupted allowing them to close it or create a new one with new keys that are completely secure.
So, yes, even if Q-day arrives one day, and all hackers and evil corporations in the world get their hands on our data, it should be fine. We are working on the development of quantum-safe technologies so we can stay ahead and the apocalypses finds us with our protocols in place.
Quantum myths
For decades quantum physics has been surrounded by a lot of mystery. We are sure lately you have heard a lot of quantum lies so today we’re starting a new series of posts talking about quantum myths that need to be busted!