The massive opportunities offered by quantum computing are accompanied by as big a security challenge, according to a new report from Citi Institute.
If platforms and solutions are not developed and put in place, according to “Quantum Threat: The Trillion-Dollar Security Race is On,” there will be no protection against the breaking of public-key encryption in use today. This is ominously referred to as “Q-day.”
Q-day is coming. The report maintains quantum computers will be able to “perform certain calculations, particularly those required to break today’s complex encryption standards, at speeds that are orders of magnitude faster than any supercomputer imaginable.”
The good news is that there still is time to build security infrastructure. The report cites data from Kalsk Inc. that map out the timeframe expected by respondents until computers capable of certain cracking capabilities become available. Eight percent of experts think it will be possible before 2027, 39% before 2030, half before 2035, and 53% before 2040.
The researchers found that “post-quantum” cryptography is the key to safety. The key challenge is not lack of solutions, but the tricky nature of finding and implementing the proper solution at scale, the report says. For data demanding long-term confidentiality, “retroactive cracking of encryption” means that action now is urgent.
The report says that vulnerable systems must be provided with quantum-safe alternatives. This starts with a clear sequence of actions that identify exposure, prioritize critical systems, enable agility, guide migration and sustain long-term resilience.
A third takeaway from the report is that crypto’s quantum risks must be addressed. Public key exposure applies to only about 25% of bitcoins. The majority of coins are vulnerable in other blockchains. The newer blockchains can move faster.
Telecommunications networks, unsurprisingly, play a key role in the drive to keep quantum computing capabilities safe — and they’re also a big target. Telecom providers, the report says, “operate critical communication infrastructure that enables the functioning of other sectors. A quantum breach could disrupt core routing of communication channels across the economy.”
Partners with telecom networks in the worldwide ecosystem aimed at securing quantum networks include cloud providers, hardware vendors, software partners, and global supply chains.
Anything quantum is complex and difficult to understand. It is, therefore, is a bit hazy. While the Citi Institute report points to security concerns of the future, Chattanooga, Tennessee-based EPB has been working to promote quantum capabilities and understanding for years. Earlier this week, it launched the Quantum Computing Fellowship program based on a $4 million grant from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
