Encryption
Watch out for more on Quantum resistance
21/03/22 15:23
If you have not heard the term 'Quantum Resistance' mentioned already, you will begin to do so in the coming months. Quantum Resistance is the ability of cryptographic algorithms to withstand a decryption attack using quantum computing power.
At present, most algorithms used in applications that use cryptography, such as blockchain or public/private key solutions have relied on the premise that current computing power is limited to the extent that it would take decades or longer to decrypt the encrypted payload, by which time the payload would have no value.
We are now seeing the emergence of affordable quantum computers which, if applied to attacking encrypted payloads should be able to decrypt them in days, possibly hours or less. The old paradigm has been broken.
Some organisations and state actors have been harvesting and storing encrypted traffic for years, so that they can read it at some future time, when quantum computing power is affordable and decryption times are very short. They do this because it may provide insights into and individual's or organisation's characteristics or decision making that were hidden before.
In recognition of the challenges to traditional encryption solutions posed by quantum computing, significant effort has been expended to produce quantum resistant algorithms.
One such milestone was achieved in March 2022 following trials which started in March 2021. NATO's Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) reported in March 2022 that they had successfully completed trials of algorithms that can successfully withstand quantum computer based decryption attacks.
I expect we will see commercial grade applications in the next year or so
At present, most algorithms used in applications that use cryptography, such as blockchain or public/private key solutions have relied on the premise that current computing power is limited to the extent that it would take decades or longer to decrypt the encrypted payload, by which time the payload would have no value.
We are now seeing the emergence of affordable quantum computers which, if applied to attacking encrypted payloads should be able to decrypt them in days, possibly hours or less. The old paradigm has been broken.
Some organisations and state actors have been harvesting and storing encrypted traffic for years, so that they can read it at some future time, when quantum computing power is affordable and decryption times are very short. They do this because it may provide insights into and individual's or organisation's characteristics or decision making that were hidden before.
In recognition of the challenges to traditional encryption solutions posed by quantum computing, significant effort has been expended to produce quantum resistant algorithms.
One such milestone was achieved in March 2022 following trials which started in March 2021. NATO's Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) reported in March 2022 that they had successfully completed trials of algorithms that can successfully withstand quantum computer based decryption attacks.
I expect we will see commercial grade applications in the next year or so