This video is part of the Library Series: Dealing with Post-Quantum Cryptography Issues, TechXchange: Quantum Computing and Security and TechXchange: Cybersecurity. Also check out more TechXchange Talks videos.
Quantum computing is in its infancy, but hardware and software related to this technology are improving rapidly. It can address a wide range of problems, particularly the ability to crack some of the encryption systems we currently employ. This isn't to say that our current security tools have been bypassed now, but they could be in the future.
To address this issue, new encryption standards are in the works. These will require changes in applications in the future. However, it might be a good idea to start doing so soon.
I talked with Helena Handschuh, a Rambus Security Technologies fellow, about these issues, as well as how the company is addressing the problem and their involvement with the standards process.