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Almost 100 years ago, the first quantum revolution ushered in the technological advances that made our modern life possible. Advances in quantum physics led to the development of the transistor, laser, and atomic clock, which were the building blocks of innovations such as semiconductors, GPS, medical imaging equipment, and communication. by optical fiber.
Today we are approaching the arrival of the second quantum revolution. While the first quantum revolution used the principles of quantum mechanics to develop new applications, the second revolution will allow engineers to manage quantum mechanics on their own, controlling quantum systems on an individual level. Expected breakthroughs in quantum computing could define the next hundred years in the same way that the first quantum revolution shaped the 20th century.
But while quantum computing will lead to breakthroughs that we cannot yet predict, it will also undoubtedly pose challenges for businesses and their ability to secure information and communications. Current cybersecurity practices rely on classic encryption algorithms that are vulnerable to attacks from quantum computers. As quantum technology continues to advance, the security industry must develop post-quantum cryptography tools that cannot be broken by quantum computers.
The promise and challenge of quantum computing
The second quantum revolution will exploit the most advanced and nuanced properties of quantum physics; mastering these technologies has become an absolute priority for the main government entities and businesses. In particular, large organizations with mission-critical systems have recognized the importance of preparing for the security implications of quantum computing.
The second quantum revolution has the potential to render current cybersecurity practices obsolete. Today’s data collection for future post-quantum attacks has already started. Fortunately, there are steps organizations can take today to start preparing for the quantum revolution and the emerging threats associated with it.
Governments, businesses, and cybersecurity firms have spent the past five years anticipating the challenges of quantum security threats. The key technology for quantum resistance solutions will be post-quantum cryptography, as these tools will allow companies to practice crypto-agility and deploy algorithms that cannot be broken by quantum computers.
Race to develop quantum solutions
According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), leading engineers predict that large quantum computers capable of breaking all existing encryption solutions could be developed within the next twenty years. To prepare for this threat, NIST has launched a plan to solicit and standardize at least one quantum-resistant public key cryptographic algorithm.
Over the past five years, leading engineering teams have worked to develop the algorithms that will serve as the backbone of the future of cybersecurity. NIST has identified finalists (including Thales) for the Standardized Post-Quantum Cryptographic Algorithm for Public Key Encryption and Digital Signatures, with the winning solution (s) to be chosen in 2022.
Pursue crypto agility
While there is never a silver bullet or guaranteed protection when it comes to cybersecurity, the challenges posed by the processing power of quantum attacks can only be solved through crypto-agility. In addition to providing vital protection against quantum hacking tools, the agility of cryptography will allow businesses to lay the foundation for future threats and solutions.
Crypto agility allows companies to take a flexible approach to deploying new algorithms, as new solutions do not require significant changes to the system infrastructure. If the original encryption fails, updated algorithms can be deployed in the same way. Over the long term, this approach means that businesses can keep pace with the growing power of IT without having to regularly change their infrastructure.
Quantum computing threatens to disrupt the concept of trust in data ownership, data processing and communication. Crypto agility will allow businesses to ensure that only those who can access data assets are the ones trusted to do so. With so little time before new cybersecurity threats emerge, businesses and organizations must act now to protect their most important information.
The path to follow
The second quantum revolution will represent a sea of changes in cybersecurity threats and the tools used to protect our data and communications. Post-quantum technologies will play a critical role in securing data and communications in backbone networks and at the edge. The security industry must come together and act quickly to develop solutions based on post-quantum technologies across the entire value chain and a full set of use cases.
Without industry recognition of this threat and support for post-quantum computing, organizations and their critical data were at risk.
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