Introduction
Before diving into the realm of how quantum computing affects cybersecurity, let’s first get a brief introduction to what quantum computing is and the technology behind it. Quantum computing leverages the principle of quantum mechanics in physics. Unlike traditional computing which uses bits that can either be 0 or 1, quantum computing uses qubits that can be 0 and 1 simultaneously due to the principle of superposition. Additionally, the state of one qubit can be entangled with the state of another qubit. All these features enable quantum computers to solve non-traditional mathematical computations faster and more efficiently than traditional computers. Read more on quantum computers here.
Implications of Quantum Computing on Cybersecurity
Cryptography is the process of converting plain text, i.e., a human-readable format, into ciphertext that relies heavily on mathematical problems that are hard for traditional computing to break. With the advancement in technology related to quantum computing, these mechanisms have become ineffective and easy to crack even without using the keys used for encryption. This has given rise to the need to develop encryption mechanisms that are resistant to the attempts made by quantum computers.
Since quantum computing is still in its early stages of development, the mechanism to deal with the cyber threats that may arise due to it is also in its infancy. Below are some practices that may help mitigate these risks:
Increased Awareness:
The looming threat of quantum computing breaking cryptographic functions should act as a stark reminder for organizations that the encryption security measures that they currently have in place may not always be effective, especially with the constantly changing threat landscape. Organizations must remember that constantly investing in new security technologies and awareness programs and staying up-to-date with the current threat landscapes are no longer optional but have become a necessity to safeguard the organization’s secrets and ensure business continuity.
Quantum Computing Resistant Cryptography:
Develop cryptographic algorithms that can resist quantum-based attacks. Furthermore, developing algorithms that are resistant to quantum attacks can be quite complex and involve techniques like Lattice-Based Cryptography and hash-based Cryptography.
Infrastructure Update:
Transitioning to quantum-resistant cryptographic algorithms requires a massive shift from traditional infrastructure. Governments and organizations need to work together to ensure a smooth transition.
Data Privacy and Security:
With the constant changes and advancements in the cyberthreat landscape, organizations need to consider new solutions for long-term data storage and lifecycle. They must evaluate the rising threat of quantum attacks breaking existing cryptographic and encryption mechanisms and leaking sensitive data. They need to be aware of the evolving cyber threat and rising cyber threat to ensure their cybersecurity posture.
Conclusion
There is no doubt that the evolution of quantum computing brings several benefits to various fields. However, along with these advantages, there comes an increased risk to existing security mechanisms. There is no clear way to define all the threats and measures that can be taken against quantum attacks since quantum computers are still in their infancy. It is paramount that we do not ignore these threats and make due preparations to tackle them as and when they arise.
