How will Quantum Computing disrupt Cybersecurity?

Article by Tsaaro

January 31, 2023

7 min read

With cybersecurity as one of the most important issues facing businesses today, in order to keep their customers and employees safe, companies must have a robust cybersecurity strategy in place. But many businesses are finding it difficult to prevent cyberattacks. This is because cybercriminals are constantly creating new tactics to bypass traditional security measures and attack their systems. The majority of existing cryptography could be broken by a new form of computer that is based on quantum theory rather than more conventional electronics, which is why cybersecurity analysts and researchers are understandably concerned. Communications would become just as insecure as if they weren’t encoded at all as a result of this.

Fortunately, the threat is only theoretical at this point. None of the widely used encryption techniques can be broken by the quantum computers that are currently in existence. According to a 2018 report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, significant technological advancements are needed before they can crack the robust codes that are widely used on the internet.

But there is still cause for worry. A quantum attack may one day be successful against the cryptography supporting contemporary internet communications and e-commerce. It’s crucial to take a closer look at digital encryption and the ways in which it’s used—and broken—in order to comprehend the threat and what could be done about it.

What is Quantum Computing understood as?

Quantum computing is a type of technology that uses the principles of quantum mechanics to process information and perform calculations. Unlike conventional computers, which are based on binary bits, quantum computers use quantum bits (or qubits), which allow for much more data to be processed. When it comes to many tasks, quantum computing surpasses traditional computing since it is based on the laws of quantum physics. Globally, there is a significant effort being made to create hardware that is suited for quantum computing by both research institutes and commercial sector businesses. Quantum computing will fundamentally alter how cybersecurity assaults are carried out and how we defend against them as it gains popularity.

Quantum computers on a large scale will considerably increase computational capability, opening up new possibilities for enhancing cybersecurity. Quantum-period cybersecurity will be able to identify and block cyberattacks from that era before they cause damage. But it might end up being a double-edged sword since quantum computing might also open up new vulnerabilities, such as the capacity to swiftly solve the challenging mathematical puzzles that form the basis of some types of encryptions. Businesses and other groups can start preparing now even though post-quantum encryption standards are still being developed.

How will cybersecurity be impacted by quantum computing?

We do not yet fully understand how quantum computing will impact cybersecurity. However, there are two areas where quantum computing could endanger cybersecurity that experts are currently debating. The major concern is that RSA cryptography could be compromised by quantum computing. Due to its efficiency, quantum computing may be able to solve some algorithms, such as RSA, more quickly. Hackers employing quantum computing to disguise assaults is a second problem for cybersecurity. These quantum computing attacks might exhibit unique characteristics and signatures that elude conventional software.

If competitors gained access to powerful quantum computers, the security of nearly all public-key encryption techniques in widespread use today would decrease to practical nil. The security offered by the RSA algorithm and a number of other public-key encryption techniques in general, including those based on elliptic curves, effectively vanishes if engineers are able to create large-scale quantum computers. Quantum computing may eventually make it possible for malevolent actors to swiftly decrypt keys, rendering 64-bit, 128-bit, or 256-bit RSA public-key techniques ineffective.

Researchers and experts in the field of cyber security are understandably concerned that much of today’s cryptography may be broken by a new type of computer that is based on quantum physics rather than more traditional electronics. A quantum attack may one day be able to penetrate the encryption at the core of contemporary Internet communications and electronic commerce.

Quantum cyber security may provide a more dependable and attractive solution for protecting important data and identities than is currently achievable, overshadowing any potential hazards. To enable corporate cybersecurity, organizations must adopt quantum-aware standards, policies, and risk management. As part of the cyber security plan for upcoming IT strategists, it is crucial that sensitive data, risk management practices, identity management systems, and related technologies become quantum-safe. Companies who care about security understand the value of encryption flexibility and are searching for solutions like quantum exchanges to make their encryption quantum-safe today and ready for attacks in the future.

In order to incorporate cryptographic techniques that will remain secure even in a post-quantum world, the National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST) has been developing new standards. It is wise to begin preparing for quantum-resistant cryptography immediately because the procedure for adopting new standards could take years. We believe it is crucial that we expedite efforts to build and implement quantum-resistant (PQC) systems given the severity of the threat. The threat posed by quantum technology to encryption has long been thought of as hypothetical.

Conclusion.

People need to be aware that quantum computing is coming sooner than they might expect. It will drastically speed up the processing of massive data sets and the resolution of challenging mathematical problems. Great technical improvements will be made possible by it, but cybersecurity is also seriously jeopardized. We must all transition to new encryption methods as soon as possible if we are to continue protecting the private information of both individuals and companies.

How Tsaaro can help you with the cybersecurity issue:

Without the assistance of specialists and professionals, your business cannot protect itself from data breach activities, making it an easy target for scammers. At Tsaaro, we provide you with all the information you need to understand your cybersecurity infrastructure, let you know what has to be fixed and how, and take care of the implementation. We also assist you in identifying dangers that, given their inherent characteristics and the rapidly advancing state of technology, you may not be able to defeat and assist in minimizing harm. Get in touch with us at info@tsaaro.com to know about our services. Take the first step towards a secure your organization’s data by scheduling a call with our privacy expert team at Tsaaro Solutions today.