What is quantum computing?
Quantum computing represents the third era of computing hardware which emerged after analog and digital computers, and which applies the laws of quantum mechanics to the world of computer science. Instead of using a digital bit to store a binary state, a quantum computer uses a quantum bit (qubit) to store binary and indefinite states within the subatomic particle of the qubit. Quantum computers utilize laws of quantum mechanics such as quantum entanglement, using the probability of entangled particles being in a certain state at a specific moment in time to quickly solve complex problems that contain many possible solutions (Smith, 2021).
Does quantum computing present a cybersecurity threat? If yes, why? If no, why not?
The capabilities of a fully developed quantum computer would theoretically pose a massive cybersecurity threat to our current infrastructure. The quantum mechanical properties of the sub-atomic particles within a quantum computer allow for many possible solutions to a problem to be considered simultaneously, which leads to solving some types of complex problems much faster than is possible with classical computers. One of the most discussed ramifications of a fully functional quantum computer is the ability to quickly determine the two prime factors of large numbers because determining those key pairs would crack the types of public key encryption systems currently utilized by the world wide web (Denning, 2019). Once a quantum computer can reliably surpass the performance of classical supercomputers, the current methods of encryption will essentially begin to prove obsolete against an advanced quantum computer. Essentially, all current encryption algorithms can be solved by a computer given a long enough period but the keys that take classical computers years to crack can potentially be solved by quantum computers in a fraction of the time. Researchers are currently working to create new algorithms and forms of cryptography that can resist the potential attacks of quantum computers; as well as new forms of key exchange based on quantum hardware.
What role would quantum computing have on cryptography?
The role that quantum computing takes in cryptography involves its ability to consider the many possible solutions to a problem in parallel instead of one at a time (Evans, 2019). In a brute force attack, considering all possible solutions simultaneously would theoretically provide a solution exponentially faster. These game changing effects of quantum computers on offensive cyber security presently creates a pre-emptive need for quantum resistant encryption algorithms to combat the inevitable emergence of quantum powered brute force attacks in the coming quantum era of computing.
One defensive solution that provides some peace of mind against quantum attacks is to simply use longer keys (Denning, 2019). Denning writes in American Scientist that a 128-bit key has the same protection against a classical computing attack as a 256-bit key has against a quantum computing attack utilizing Grover’s algorithm.
What country is winning the quantum computing arms race?
According to Smith (2021), the United States and China are headlining a race to fully develop the capability of quantum computing and be the first nation with the ability to bypass information security as we know it. Each of these world superpowers is supported by several companies that are pushing the leading edge of quantum computing technology by developing a variety of quantum computing solutions and hardware. China has already achieved some major milestones in quantum computing such as the first cloud-native quantum computing platform, obtaining a solution in a fraction of a single percent of the time that it would take the fastest supercomputer in the world to obtain, and combining quantum computing with artificial intelligence. The key to winning the quantum computing arms race is likely to reside in the amount of collaboration and funding between government organizations and private companies. Regardless of what nation wins the quantum computing arms race, there is an expectation to allow developing nations to access the power of quantum computing through a cloud service, thus providing a global benefit.
What national security implications would quantum computing present to the US if China beats them?
If China can beat the United States in the race to quantum supremacy, all US intellectual property as well as possibly some classified government level data could potentially be quickly compromised and leveraged toward the disadvantage of the United States’ government, businesses, and citizens (Schappert, 2023). The winner of the quantum computer race would also have the earliest access to further applications of quantum computing such as developments in medicine, physics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.
References
Denning, D. (2019). Is Quantum Computing a Cybersecurity Threat? American Scientist. https://www.americanscientist.org/article/is-quantum-computing-a-cybersecurity-threat
Evans, A. (2019). Managing Cyber Risk. Taylor & Francis. https://online.vitalsource.com/books/9780429614262
Schappert, S. (2023). Quantum computing race explained: fast and furious. Cybernews. https://cybernews.com/editorial/quantum-computing-race-explained/
Smith, C. (2021). Competing Visions Underpin China’s Quantum Computer Race Alibaba builds their own qubits, Baidu remains quantum hardware-agnostic. IEEE Spectrum. https://spectrum.ieee.org/alibaba-baidu-quantum-computer-race
