The age of quantum computing has arrived, and it’s not just another “next step” in computing. Quantum computing will bring about what may prove to be the most significant change yet in cybersecurity. Big tech companies are developing quantum computers that are superior to today’s most advanced supercomputers. Converting data stored in binary form into qubits could be extremely valuable for advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence, that require exponentially faster processing speeds. Although the adoption of large-scale quantum computers is still a few decades away, the impact on cybersecurity is going to be game-changing.
The Potential of Qubits Is Almost Limitless
Scientists have only just begun exploring qubits and their capabilities, but it is already clear that this technology will change the understanding of how information can be stored and processed in ways previously thought impossible. The potential for quantum computing to revolutionize the way we process information is huge. With the speed of computation or the ability to generate complex results with maximum accuracy, even the most security-illiterate users could easily access the most secure networks in the world. That’s why cybersecurity needs to be rethought from scratch.
Today, quantum computing is almost ubiquitous. For example, Google achieved quantum supremacy in 2019 with Sycamore. And Amazon is getting into quantum with Braket, creating Quantum-Computing-as-a-Service (QCaaS). Amazon Web Services (AWS) Marketplace now offers a quantum computing-based random number generation service, developed by the Australian National University’s Quantum Numbers (AQN) project.
With the advent of quantum computing, a huge security problem is emerging that threatens to overtake modern cryptography and expose all online data. And within 10-15 years, everything that is considered secure today will be compromised.
Read our article about the most important real-world applications of quantum computing here.
Fighting the Quantum Threat
Today, cybersecurity relies mainly on asymmetric encryption, based on mathematical cryptography. Computers based on Newtonian mechanics cannot crack this mathematical cryptography quickly. But quantum computers can. As a result, current cybersecurity systems could quickly become obsolete. For example, it would take a classical computer trillions of years to break RSA encryption. A quantum computer with around 4,000 error-free qubits, on the other hand, could defeat the RSA algorithm in just a few seconds.
Cybersecurity experts are already developing protocols against the “Quantum Threat”. While in 2019 many computer scientists believed that the quantum threat was still more than 15 years away, rapid advances in quantum technology will make it a reality between 2025 and 2030. That’s why investment in modernizing encryption methods needs to start now, because overhauling the global cybersecurity system will take time. And to counter the quantum threat, governments and businesses must develop new, quantum-secure cryptography.
Many companies are already working on it. One of the most advanced solutions available is being developed by British startup Arqit. It involves placing a small quantum computer in orbit, from where satellites transmit special quantum-encrypted keys to data centers around the world. Internal software distributes these keys to devices and terminals. The result is a secure ecosystem, protected by quantum encryption. While this is only a simplified overview of the Arqit solution, it’s enough to describe exactly how cybersecurity systems could change in the wake of quantum threats.
The Global Quantum Computing Market Size is Projected to Reach USD 3,180.9 Million by 2028
According to a report by Fortune Business Insights, the global quantum computing market size stood at USD 392.5 million in 2020. The market is expected to grow from USD 486.1 million in 2021 to USD 3,180.9 million by 2028, registering a CAGR of 30.8% during the forecast period.
Increasing investments from governments and a growing number of strategic alliances are the main factors driving the quantum computing market.
“Government organizations involved in the worldwide space and military sectors are spending extensively on the development of computing technology to use quantum computers to perform various optimization segments and simulation tactics. Various governments throughout the globe are investing much in their research institutes to encourage the development of computing technologies (…) To carry out computing developments, develop practical applications, and establish a quantum workforce of the future, the creation of scalable quantum computers needs devoted partners. Several corporations, including Intel Corporation, Google LLC, and IBM Corporation, are working together with universities worldwide to conduct computing research and development”, according to the report.
Conclusion
As with any innovative new technology, investment in quantum encryption technologies will grow rapidly. This is the next evolution and likely the ultimate goal for cybersecurity. While the quantum threat may be years away, organizations need to think strategically about the longer-term risks.
