Can We Make Encryption That's "Unbreakable?" | John Prisco | TEDxMidAtlantic

Summary

This video explores the evolution of modern cryptography, its current vulnerabilities, and the looming threat of quantum computing to personal privacy and national security. It highlights key figures like Whitfield Diffie and Marty Hellman who pioneered public-key cryptography, and how quantum computers could potentially break current encryption methods. The speaker discusses quantum key distribution as a promising solution to secure data transmission, and emphasizes the global race, particularly between the U.S. and China, to achieve quantum supremacy. The urgency to develop quantum-resistant encryption is stressed to safeguard against future cyber threats.

Takeaways

• 😀 Cryptography plays a crucial role in securing online transactions and personal privacy, using algorithms to scramble data and prevent unauthorized access.
• 😀 Modern cryptography, particularly public-key cryptography, was invented in 1976 by Whitfield Diffie, Marty Hellman, and Ralph Merkle, marking a significant milestone in internet security.
• 😀 Over 14.7 billion records have been stolen since 2013, highlighting the growing threat of cyberattacks and the vulnerabilities in current encryption systems.
• 😀 The NSA has been able to break smaller cryptographic keys, which has led to the continuous increase in key size. However, even large keys like 2048 digits are now at risk from quantum computers.
• 😀 Quantum computers use quantum bits (qubits) that can exist in multiple states simultaneously, enabling them to process information trillions of times faster than classical computers.
• 😀 IBM's quantum computer, released in 2017, demonstrates the power of quantum computing. While it can't yet break current encryption, it is expected to do so in the near future.
• 😀 The concept of quantum key distribution (QKD) allows cryptographic keys to be transmitted using photons. This process is tamper-evident, making it highly secure against interception.
• 😀 In response to quantum threats, NIST has called for the development of quantum-resistant algorithms, with 26 potential solutions currently under consideration.
• 😀 The threat of quantum computing to cryptography is not just theoretical; bad actors may already be stealing data today and storing it for future decryption once quantum computers mature.
• 😀 China has taken significant steps to advance quantum technology, including launching a satellite for quantum key distribution, positioning them as a global leader in the quantum race.
• 😀 The United States must increase its efforts in quantum research and quantum key distribution to stay competitive and secure its national interests in the face of rapidly advancing technology.

Q & A

What is the significance of Whitfield Diffie, Marty Hellman, and Ralph Merkle in the history of cryptography?

Whitfield Diffie, Marty Hellman, and Ralph Merkle are pivotal figures in the development of modern cryptography. In 1976, they introduced public key cryptography, a groundbreaking concept that enables secure communications over the internet. This innovation underpins most of the encryption systems used today.

How has the size of cryptographic keys evolved over time?

Cryptographic keys have become progressively larger in response to increasing computational power and hacking attempts. Initially, smaller keys (56-bit) were easily broken, prompting the use of larger keys. Today, 2048-bit keys are common, but even these could be vulnerable to quantum computers.

Why is the introduction of quantum computers a major concern for current cryptography?

Quantum computers pose a significant threat to current cryptographic systems because they can process information exponentially faster than classical computers. This means that cryptographic keys, which could take billions of years to break with classical computers, could be cracked in minutes by a sufficiently powerful quantum computer.

What is the concept of quantum key distribution (QKD) and why is it important for encryption?

Quantum key distribution (QKD) uses the principles of quantum mechanics to securely transmit cryptographic keys. If anyone intercepts the key during transmission, the quantum state of the photons changes, rendering the key useless. This makes QKD virtually unbreakable and tamper-evident, providing a secure method for future encryption.

What is the significance of the NIST's call for new encryption algorithms in 2017?

In 2017, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) called for submissions of quantum-resistant encryption algorithms. This move was prompted by the imminent threat posed by quantum computers, and the goal was to develop new encryption standards that can withstand quantum attacks.

What are the challenges in developing quantum-resistant cryptographic algorithms?

Developing quantum-resistant cryptographic algorithms is challenging because these algorithms must be secure against both classical and quantum computing attacks. While NIST received 82 submissions in 2017, only 26 remain under consideration, and the process is expected to take several more years to standardize a new encryption system.

What role do quantum computers play in the future of cybersecurity?

Quantum computers are expected to revolutionize cybersecurity by potentially breaking current encryption methods. As quantum technology advances, new strategies, such as quantum key distribution and quantum-resistant encryption, will be needed to protect sensitive data from being decrypted by quantum machines.

How does quantum computing differ from classical computing in terms of processing power?

Quantum computers differ from classical computers in that they use quantum bits (qubits), which can represent both 0 and 1 simultaneously, thanks to quantum superposition. This allows quantum computers to process information far faster than classical computers, making them capable of solving complex problems that would take classical computers millions of years.

Why is the U.S. at risk of falling behind in the quantum computing race?

While the U.S. has made significant strides in quantum computing research, it risks falling behind due to a lack of sufficient investment and coordinated strategy compared to China. China is not only advancing its quantum computing capabilities but also leading in the deployment of quantum key distribution technologies, giving it an edge in securing communications.

What is meant by a 'harvesting attack' in the context of quantum computing?

A harvesting attack occurs when malicious actors steal encrypted data today and store it, anticipating that in the future, quantum computers will be able to break the encryption and read the data. This poses a significant risk as current data could be compromised years after it was initially captured.