The Looming Threat of Quantum Computers to Online Security
Imagine a world where the tap of a card that bought you a cup of coffee this morning also granted a hacker access to your bank account. This is not a science fiction scenario, but a potential reality as quantum computers become more powerful. These devices use the properties of the quantum world to untangle secrets that would take ordinary computers a lifetime to decipher. The advent of quantum computers poses a significant threat to our digital security, as they have the potential to crack encryption algorithms currently in use.
Current online security relies on mathematical problems that are difficult for ordinary computers to solve. For example, finding two numbers that, when multiplied together, produce a third number serves as a key to unlocking secret information. However, future quantum computers will be able to crack these codes much more quickly. As a result, cryptographers are racing to devise new encryption algorithms that can withstand quantum attacks.
The US National Institute of Standards and Technology has been calling for proposed “quantum-proof” encryption algorithms for years, but few have withstood scrutiny. The race for a “quantum-proof” encryption algorithm has heated up this year as major companies and organizations have updated their security systems. For example, Apple updated the security system for iMessage in February, and scientists in China announced they had installed a new “encryption shield” to protect their quantum computer from quantum attacks.
One important area of research for quantum-proof encryption is lattice-based cryptography. A lattice-based algorithm is a method of encryption based on the mathematics of lattices, an arrangement of points in a repeating structure. Lattice-based cryptography underpins many ways to make data more secure. A variant of the lattice problem called “learning with errors” is considered to be too hard to break even on a quantum computer. However, a recent paper by Yilei Chen suggested that quantum computers may be able to solve lattice-based problems more quickly under certain conditions. Despite an error discovered in Chen’s paper, it has made many cryptographers less confident in the security of lattice-based methods.
The looming threat of quantum computers highlights the importance of developing new quantum-proof encryption algorithms. The US National Institute of Standards and Technology has announced a competition for a new post-quantum encryption standard and plans to select a winner by 2024. The development of quantum-proof encryption algorithms requires deep mathematical knowledge and expertise. However, the Australian government’s recent national quantum strategy did not mention mathematics, which is an important omission. Making the most of quantum computers and defending against them will require deep mathematical training to produce new knowledge and research.
In conclusion, the advent of quantum computers poses a significant threat to our digital security. Current encryption algorithms may be vulnerable to quantum attacks, and cryptographers are racing to devise new quantum-proof encryption algorithms. Lattice-based cryptography is an important area of research, but recent findings suggest that quantum computers may be able to solve lattice-based problems more quickly. The development of quantum-proof encryption algorithms requires deep mathematical knowledge and expertise. It is crucial for governments and organizations to prioritize the development of quantum-proof encryption algorithms and invest in mathematical research and training.