In recent years, the world of computing has been buzzing with the promise and potential of quantum computers. These machines, harnessing the strange and powerful principles of quantum mechanics, have the potential to quickly solve complex problems that are currently beyond the capabilities of classical computers.

Quantum computers are orders of magnitude faster than traditional computers. How fast? In 2020, China stated that they developed a quantum computer capable of performing computations 100 trillion times faster than any supercomputer. In 2023, Google stated that their quantum computer solved a task within seconds that would have taken a supercomputer 47 years to perform the same calculations. But don't expect a quantum computer on your desk anytime soon as quantum computers have to be kept at a very cold temperature, near absolute zero or -460 degrees Fahrenheit, in order to remain stable.  At the current time, quantum computing will be offered as a SaaS application.

While this technological leap is exciting, it also brings with it another significant challenge – the potential to break the encryption that secures our digital world.

The Quantum Computing Revolution

Quantum computing is a multidisciplinary field that blends computer science, physics, and mathematics to develop computers that operate on the principles of quantum mechanics. Unlike classical computers, which rely on bits (0s and 1s), quantum computers use qubits, which can represent 0, 1, or both simultaneously due to a phenomenon known as superposition (for more on qubits see Supplemental: A Deeper Drive into Qubits at the end of this article).

This revolutionary technology holds immense promise, especially in solving complex problems that classical computers struggle with. For instance, simulating the behavior of molecules, optimizing flight schedules at airports, and tackling complex mathematical problems could all become vastly more efficient with quantum computing.

The Looming Threat to Encryption

However, as the development of quantum computers accelerates, so does the concern over their potential to undermine encryption systems. Quantum computers have the power to crack many of the public-key cryptosystems currently used to protect digital communications, including online banking and email software. The implications of such a breach are profound, as it would compromise the confidentiality and integrity of data transmitted over the Internet and other networks.

Enter Post-Quantum Cryptography

To address this looming threat, researchers have been diligently working on what is known as post-quantum cryptography, also referred to as quantum-resistant cryptography. The goal of this field is to develop cryptographic systems that remain secure not only against quantum computers but also classical ones. These systems must seamlessly integrate with existing communication protocols and networks, ensuring that data remains protected in the quantum computing era.

The Timeline of Quantum Computing

The question of when large-scale quantum computers will become a reality is complex. While it was once unclear whether building such machines was even possible, many experts now view it as a significant engineering challenge rather than a theoretical impossibility. Some predict that it could take a couple of decades before we could see sufficiently large quantum computers capable of breaking existing encryption schemes. Given that it historically took nearly two decades to deploy our modern public key cryptography infrastructure, the need to prepare our information security systems for the quantum era is evident.

NIST Takes the Lead

Quantum computers powerful enough to break current encryption algorithms do not exist yet, but many believe that it is only a matter of time. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has embarked on a comprehensive effort to select encryption tools capable of withstanding quantum attacks. Last year, NIST's selected four encryption algorithms designed to resist quantum threats. These algorithms will be part of NIST's post-quantum cryptographic standard and the first three of these new algorithms are expected to be ready for use in 2024. Plus, NIST expects that other algorithms will follow.

Quantum Neural Networks

Trained neural networks are self-learning AI algorithms that ingest large amounts of data to determine patterns that can then be used to predict a result. Some examples of neural networks in health care include image/pattern recognition for images, medical diagnosis, and cancer research to quickly identify high-potential therapies and accelerate time to market by years.  

When combined with quantum mechanics, the trained neural network becomes a Quantum Neural Network that can process data faster and more efficiently. Further, qubits contain entanglements, or the state in which a qubit is dependent on the state of another qubit, even when they are physically separated by large distances. Entanglement enables quantum computers to solve certain problems that are dependent upon other items such as in healthcare where there are many co-dependent or related items.

Conclusion

The advent of quantum computing is both a technological marvel and a potential threat to the security of our digital world. As quantum computers become more feasible, the urgency of preparing our information security systems cannot be overstated. Thanks to the efforts of organizations like NIST, we are taking significant strides toward securing our data in the quantum era.

While we may not know the exact timeline for when quantum computers will become widespread, the work on post-quantum cryptography ensures that we are ready to protect our digital lives when that time comes. The world of quantum computing is exciting, but it's essential that we keep our data safe as we journey into this new frontier of technology.

Supplemental: A Deeper Dive into Quibits

Qubits, short for "quantum bits," are the fundamental units of information in quantum computing. They are the quantum analogs of classical bits (0s and 1s) used in classical computing. However, qubits differ significantly from classical bits in several ways due to the principles of quantum mechanics. Here are some key characteristics of qubits:

Superposition: One of the most unique features of qubits is their ability to exist in a superposition of states. In classical computing, a bit can be either 0 or 1 at any given time. In contrast, a qubit can exist in a combination of both 0 and 1 states simultaneously. This property allows quantum computers to perform multiple calculations at once.

Entanglement: Qubits can be entangled with each other. This means that the state of one qubit is dependent on the state of another, even when they are physically separated by large distances. Entanglement enables quantum computers to solve certain problems more efficiently than classical computers.

Measurement: When a qubit is measured, it collapses from its superposition state into one of its basis states (0 or 1) with a certain probability. The outcome of the measurement is probabilistic, which is different from classical bits, where the measurement outcome is always deterministic.

Quantum gates: Quantum computers use quantum gates to manipulate qubits. These gates perform operations on qubits, similar to how logic gates (e.g., AND, OR, NOT) work in classical computing. Quantum gates can create and manipulate superposition and entanglement, allowing for quantum computations.

No-cloning theorem: Unlike classical bits, quantum bits cannot be precisely copied. This is known as the "no-cloning theorem." Attempting to copy a qubit would disturb its state, making perfect duplication impossible. This property has implications for quantum cryptography.

Qubits are the building blocks of quantum computers, and their unique properties are what give quantum computers their potential advantage in solving certain types of problems more efficiently than classical computers. Quantum computing is still an emerging field, and researchers are working to harness the power of qubits to tackle complex problems in areas like cryptography, optimization, and materials science.

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