This video is part of the TechXchanges: Cybersecurity and Quantum Computing and Security.
With the ability to simulate highly complex systems and interactions, the game-changing capabilities of quantum computers is making the creation of up-to-date cybersecurity solutions more challenging. Addressing this challenge, Qusecure has created QuProtect, which can be adapted to suit specific business and industry requirements and challenges. The all-in-one software-based solution can secure your data assets and gain additional control over your cryptography.
QuProtect leverages quantum-safe cryptography for secure communications wherever data travels with complete cryptographic control for adaptive protection against classical and emerging threats. In this third part of a three-part series, we talk to Skip Sanzeri, Co-Founder, Board Chair, and COO of QuSecure, about quantum computing and cybersecurity in today's cloud-based data-oriented world.
The Quantum Cryptography Threat
When it comes to the binary-based security currently used in connected systems, its utility fades rapidly in the face of quantum computing. For example, the internet was built on systems whose security came from factoring large numbers. However, a quantum computer can break that when they become powerful enough, and that time is rapidly approaching.
In terms of the number of qubits needed to crack RSA, 2,048 is about 4,100, which is still over the horizon. People are finding workarounds to that, though, using approaches like entangled multiple quantum computers. So by using 14 quantum computers, each with 300 qubits, you can entangle all of those together and run one process to access that "secured" data.
It may be a decade before we have a 4,100-qubit quantum computer, but there will probably be 300-qubit versions in a few years. This is an issue because certain data may be stolen or harvested that's currently encrypted, but could be decrypted in the future using quantum systems. And some data has a long shelf life of 25, 50, or 75 years or more, like banking information, military secrets, and healthcare information. Thus, that data is going to be valuable and has to be protected.
Many international players are taking data in, and if and when they can crack that data may only be a matter of time. This is why we need quantum-computing safety and quantum cybersecurity solutions in place right now. Otherwise, any data that gets stolen today is going to be at risk in the future.
Quantum Algorithms
Companies like QuSecure are developing quantum algorithms for security solutions. One example of these new algorithms uses technology called lattice-based infrastructures, where the key is hidden somewhere in a 400-dimension space. Even a quantum computer runs up against problems with that.
NIST has approved an algorithm called Kyber, so that if they take your data, it's secured with this post quantum algorithm. Even if it's stolen, the data will have decades of resilience. The resilience is key—it's not about stopping every single hack, but having resilience for that data cannot be cracked. There are even processes being developed using entanglement itself as a means of detecting intrusion.
Part 1: Cybersecurity from the Developer's Seat
Part 2: What's So Special Special About Quantum Computing?
Part 3: Why Quantum Cybersecurity is Imperative (video above)