How Quantum Computers Break The Internet... Starting Now

Summary

The video discusses the threat of quantum computing to current encryption methods, explaining the concept of 'Store Now, Decrypt Later' and the potential for quantum computers to break encryption in the future. It covers the history of encryption, the RSA algorithm, and the quantum computing process. The video also introduces new post-quantum cryptographic standards being developed to counteract these threats.

Takeaways

• 🔒 The current practice of 'Store Now, Decrypt Later' (SNLD) involves collecting encrypted data with the expectation that future quantum computers will be able to decrypt it.
• 💡 Quantum computers have the potential to undermine public key algorithms due to their superior processing capabilities, which could break encryption within minutes.
• 📈 The US Congress has mandated the transition to new cryptographic methods that are quantum-resistant in response to the threat posed by quantum computing.
• 🔑 Traditional encryption methods, like RSA, rely on the difficulty of factoring large numbers, a task that quantum computers could potentially perform much faster.
• 🤔 Quantum computers utilize qubits, which can exist in multiple states simultaneously, allowing for the computation of many possibilities at once.
• 🌌 The power of quantum computers comes with a limitation: when measuring a superposition of states, only one outcome is obtained, and the rest of the information is lost.
• 🔍 Peter Shor's algorithm, using quantum Fourier transform, can efficiently find the period in a sequence, which is a key step in factoring large numbers on a quantum computer.
• 🔄 The process of factoring large numbers using a quantum computer involves creating a periodic superposition of states, finding the period, and then using classical algorithms to find the factors.
• 🛡️ Scientists are actively developing new encryption methods that are secure against both classical and quantum computing attacks, with NIST selecting four such algorithms in 2022.
• 📊 Post-quantum cryptography based on lattice mathematics offers a promising direction for secure encryption, as solving the closest vector problem in high dimensions is computationally hard.
• 🚀 The race is on between the development of quantum computers and the creation of quantum-resistant encryption, with the latter aiming to stay ahead to ensure data security.

Q & A

What is the concept of 'Store Now, Decrypt Later' (SNDL)?

SNDL refers to the strategy where encrypted data such as passwords, bank details, and social security numbers are intercepted and stored with the expectation that future quantum computers will be able to decrypt them within the next 10 to 20 years.

Why is the National Security Administration concerned about quantum computers?

The National Security Administration is concerned because a sufficiently large quantum computer, if built, would be capable of undermining all widely deployed public key algorithms, thus breaking the encryption that currently secures sensitive information.

What is the significance of the RSA encryption method?

RSA is an asymmetric key encryption system that uses two different keys for encryption and decryption. It is significant because it allows secure communication without the need to share a secret key in person, and it has been effective for over 40 years.

How do quantum computers differ from classical computers in terms of bits and qubits?

Classical computers use bits that can be in a state of either zero or one at any given time. Quantum computers, on the other hand, use qubits that can exist in a superposition of states, allowing them to be in both zero and one states simultaneously, which gives quantum computers their parallel processing capabilities.

What is the main challenge in harnessing the power of quantum computers?

The main challenge is that while quantum computers can perform many calculations simultaneously, extracting useful information from the superposition of states is difficult because measurement collapses the superposition to a single outcome, losing all other information.

What is the quantum Fourier transform and how is it used in quantum computing?

The quantum Fourier transform is a quantum equivalent of the classical Fourier transform that can extract frequency information from a periodic superposition of states. It is used in quantum algorithms to find patterns or cycles in the data, which is particularly useful in factoring large numbers, a task that can break certain encryption schemes.

How does the process of factoring large numbers using a quantum computer differ from classical methods?

Quantum computers can use the quantum Fourier transform to find the period of a repeating pattern in the remainders when a number is raised to successive powers and divided by the number to be factored. This period is then used to find factors of the number, a process that is much faster than classical factoring algorithms.

What is the current state of quantum computers in terms of the number of qubits?

As of the script's knowledge cutoff in 2023, quantum computers have not yet reached the number of qubits required to break RSA encryption. However, the progress in quantum computing is exponential, and estimates for the number of qubits needed for such a task have been decreasing.

What is the significance of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) selecting new encryption algorithms?

The selection of new encryption algorithms by NIST is significant because it represents a proactive step towards securing data against potential future threats from quantum computers. These algorithms are designed to be resistant to both classical and quantum computational attacks.

Can you explain the concept of lattices in the context of post-quantum cryptography?

In post-quantum cryptography, lattices are complex mathematical structures used as the basis for encryption algorithms. The security of these algorithms is based on the difficulty of finding the shortest vector in a high-dimensional lattice, a problem that is believed to be hard for both classical and quantum computers.

What is the role of Brilliant in the context of this script?

Brilliant is mentioned in the script as an educational platform offering courses on quantum algorithms and data analysis. These courses aim to help learners understand the fundamentals and applications of quantum computing and cryptography, as well as develop statistical reasoning skills.