Quantum Computing and Cybersecurity Threats
Cybersecurity in our digital world can only be compared to a door lock. It secures our mails, bank accounts, social sites, and what we do on the Internet. This is a secure lock today. However, it will not be like that tomorrow it would be different due to a giant technology known as quantum computing.
What is Quantum Computing?
To be safe, let us make it simple. A typical computer such as the one you are using currently carries information in a form of bits, i.e., 0 or 1. However, quantum computers operate on a different thing called qubits. Quantum physics is a bizarre yet genuine science, which makes a qubit 0 and 1 at the same time.
This makes quantum computers super powerful. Quantum computers are able to solve problems much quickly than ordinary computers. The quantum computers will be able to complete tasks that modern computers will need thousands of years in only a few minutes.
Why We Face a Threat to Cybersecurity?
- Encryption is the basis of most of the online security that we are experiencing today. Encryption can be compared to converting the message to some secret code. It can only be read by the people who have the right key.
- Encryptions are of various types though one of the most common is known as RSA encryption. It keeps your online banking, email, online shopping, and even government words safe. RSA is based on the difficulty of certain mathematical problems to solve such as factoring two prime numbers that can be multiplied into a much larger number.
- The thing is that quantum computing can easily solve these problems. This is the reason why a renowned algorithm, which was coined by Shor, was developed. A quantum computer would allow a hacker to decode encryptions, get hold of secret information, and find out secrets that remain locked forever.
Know Also: Cloudflare Penetration Testing Basics
What May Occur in a Quantum Computer?
In the case that quantum computers are potentially powerful and widely accessible, they might:
- Crack the emails and messages that are encrypted
- Swipe information of banks and credit cards
- Reveal government secrets or army secrets
- Attack health records, passwords, and cloud storage
- Break havoc in companies, banks, and countries
The frightening thing is? Encrypted information might be recorded now and decrypted in future when quantum computers are available, thereby hackers or spy agencies might record an encrypted data today and may decrypt it later dependent on the era when quantum computers will be prepared. It implies that, despite the fact that you may consider yourself being safe at the moment, your personal information may not remain personal in the future.
What are They Doing to Prevent This?
- The positive thing about this is that there are already people who are on the process of finding solutions. There is a new form of security under development known as post-quantum cryptography. They are the encryption techniques which cannot be easily solved even using quantum computers.
- The research is presently on the coat tails of companies, such as NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology), to design and test quantum-safe algorithms. World governments, big businesses, and IT practitioners are in a frantic race to modernize systems before it is too late to do so.
- However, it is not so simple. It costs time and money to upgrade systems throughout the globe. It is much like changing all the locks in all the households worldwide. That is why early onset, and awareness needs to be done.
What You Can Do?
Quantum computers seem to be inevitable, but we still can learn to prevent the most obvious threats to our data and get some notions about these machines:
- Make sure software is up to date: Companies are steadily releasing more efficient, powerful security.
- Strong password and two-factor authentication: these are also helpful to day.
- Be aware: Keep yourself posted with new security threats.
- Encourage organizations and politics that specialized in cybersecurity and online safety.
Conclusion
Quantum computing is the new technology and may transform the world, either way. It can not only cure diseases or fix climate issues but also make smarter machines. However, simultaneously, it is also able to unlock the digital locks with which we are all so familiar with.
Cybersecurity is required to stay in check with this rapidly advancing technology. We have to be prepared when quantum computers become a broadly available tool, not only at the labs but also at the disposal of hackers.