Breaking cryptography: quantum computing claim a myth or fact?

11 June 2024

Quantum computing represents a profound seismic shift in the current capabilities of supercomputers.

It is not bounded by the limitations of current digital computers and uses properties inherent in quantum mechanics — the property of being in multiple states at once rather than binary.

This particular distinguisher has the ability to support society through complex problem solving, improvements to material science and artificial intelligence enhancement.

The computational power of quantum computing poses a particular risk in cryptography. The cryptographic protocols used to protect data rely on mathematical operations which are difficult to reverse.

The vastly improved powers that quantum computing offers could overcome the computational barriers to breaking typical encryption protocols in use today. Those powers could be deployed to decrypt encrypted data which is already in the hands of bad actors, or to break the encryption protocols protecting data in transit.

CyXcel's Technical Director Sachin Bhatt explains the promise and the perils of quantum computing.