That article was way above my head. I just glossed over it and have no other takeaway other than: Why are people not scared shitless of quantum computers? Are they even aware of the implications for privacy that quantum computers have? I am aware that intelligence agencies will be the first to possess such a computer, but what happens when it gets in the hands of hackers and bad actors? You could cause some serious violations of privacy when the day comes when you can fit a quantum computer into a laptop form factor.
But then I guess, by then, we would have suitable algorithms which are resistant to a quantum attack, so it's only a matter of switching over to new cipher suites.
Probably because a quantum computer that can actually factor a large enough prime is between 10-30 years away. The technical challenges are... substantial.
The article mentions NIST’s effort toward a post-quantum encryption standard. Hopefully, a few decades from now, these algorithms will be well understood and in widespread use.
Quantum computers can factor numbers faster than traditional numbers, yes, but i don’t think it’s going to be a sudden jump from “impossible” to “now anyone can break any crypto”.
On the other hand, switching crypto algorithms is relatively easy. Breaking crypto is something that’s happened before. There’s already a system in place for TLS for negotiating the best available crypto scheme, and people have already switched away from past, less secure algorithms before.
I think there are so many more problems to solve with building the quantum computers, compared to coming up with or implementing a new crypto scheme.
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[ 2.9 ms ] story [ 24.5 ms ] threadBut then I guess, by then, we would have suitable algorithms which are resistant to a quantum attack, so it's only a matter of switching over to new cipher suites.
The article mentions NIST’s effort toward a post-quantum encryption standard. Hopefully, a few decades from now, these algorithms will be well understood and in widespread use.
On the other hand, switching crypto algorithms is relatively easy. Breaking crypto is something that’s happened before. There’s already a system in place for TLS for negotiating the best available crypto scheme, and people have already switched away from past, less secure algorithms before.
I think there are so many more problems to solve with building the quantum computers, compared to coming up with or implementing a new crypto scheme.