Post-Quantum
PostQuantum.com by Marin Ivezic – Quantum Security, PQC, Quantum Resistance, CRQC, Q-Day, Y2Q
-
The Enormous Energy Cost of Breaking RSA‑2048 with Quantum Computers
The energy requirements for breaking RSA-2048 with a quantum computer underscore how different the post-quantum threat is from conventional hacking. It’s not just about qubits and math; it’s about megawatts, cooling systems, and power grids. Today, that reality means only the most potent actors would even contemplate such attacks, and…
Read More » -
Breaking RSA Encryption: Quantum Hype Meets Reality (2022–2025)
To put it plainly, if you encrypted a message with an RSA-2048 public key today, no one on Earth knows how to factor it with currently available technology, even if they threw every quantum computer and supercomputer we have at the task. That may change in the future – perhaps…
Read More » -
4,099 Qubits: The Myth and Reality of Breaking RSA-2048 with Quantum Computers
4,099 is the widely cited number of quantum bits one would need to factor a 2048-bit RSA key using Shor’s algorithm – in other words, the notional threshold at which a quantum computer could crack one of today’s most common encryption standards. The claim has an alluring simplicity: if we…
Read More » -
Adiabatic Quantum (AQC) and Cyber (2024 Update)
Adiabatic Quantum Computing (AQC) is an alternative paradigm that uses an analog process based on the quantum adiabatic theorem. Instead of discrete gate operations, AQC involves slowly evolving a quantum system’s Hamiltonian such that it remains in its lowest-energy (ground) state, effectively “computing” the solution as the system’s final state.…
Read More » -
Quantum Hacking: Cybersecurity of Quantum Systems
While these machines are not yet widespread, it is never too early to consider their cybersecurity. As quantum computing moves into cloud platforms and multi-user environments, attackers will undoubtedly seek ways to exploit them.
Read More » -
Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) Meets Quantum AI (QAI)
Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) and Quantum Artificial Intelligence (QAI) are converging fields at the forefront of cybersecurity. PQC aims to develop cryptographic algorithms that can withstand attacks by quantum computers, while QAI explores the use of quantum computing and AI to both break and bolster cryptographic systems.
Read More » -
Q-Day Predictions: Anticipating the Arrival of CRQC
While CRQCs capable of breaking current public key encryption algorithms have not yet materialized, technological advancements are pushing us towards what is ominously dubbed 'Q-Day'—the day a CRQC becomes operational. Many experts believe that Q-Day, or Y2Q as it's sometimes called, is just around the corner, suggesting it could occur…
Read More » -
Quantum Readiness for Mission-Critical Communications (MCC)
Mission-critical communications (MCC) networks are the specialized communication systems used by “blue light” emergency and disaster response services (police, fire, EMS), military units, utilities, and other critical operators to relay vital information when lives or infrastructure are at stake. These networks prioritize reliability, availability, and resilience – they must remain…
Read More » -
Harvest Now, Decrypt Later (HNDL) Risk
"Harvest Now, Decrypt Later" (HNDL), also known as "Store Now, Decrypt Later" (SNDL), is a concerning risk where adversaries collect encrypted data with the intent to decrypt it once quantum computing becomes capable of breaking current encryption methods. This is the quantum computing's ticking time bomb, with potential implications for…
Read More » -
Post-Quantum Cryptography PQC Challenges
The transition to post-quantum cryptography is a complex, multi-faceted process that requires careful planning, significant investment, and a proactive, adaptable approach. By addressing these challenges head-on and preparing for the dynamic cryptographic landscape of the future, organizations can achieve crypto-agility and secure their digital assets against the emerging quantum threat.
Read More » -
Quantum Era Demands Changes to ALL Enterprise Systems
In my work with various clients, I frequently encounter a significant misunderstanding about the scope of preparations required to become quantum ready. Many assume that the transition to a post-quantum world will be straightforward, involving only minor patches to a few systems or simple upgrades to hardware security modules (HSMs).…
Read More » -
Inside NIST’s PQC: Kyber, Dilithium, and SPHINCS+
In 2022, after a multi-year evaluation, NIST selected CRYSTALS-Kyber, CRYSTALS-Dilithium, and SPHINCS+ as the first algorithms for standardization in public-key encryption (key encapsulation) and digital signatures. Kyber is an encryption/key-establishment scheme (a Key Encapsulation Mechanism, KEM) based on lattice problems, while Dilithium (also lattice-based) and SPHINCS+ (hash-based) are digital signature…
Read More » -
The Future of Digital Signatures in a Post-Quantum World
The world of digital signatures is at an inflection point. We’re moving from the familiar terrain of RSA and ECC into the new territory of lattices and hashes. It’s an exciting time for cryptography, and a critical time for security practitioners. Authentication, integrity, and non-repudiation are security properties we must…
Read More » -
Cryptographically Relevant Quantum Computers (CRQCs)
Cryptographically Relevant Quantum Computers (CRQCs) represent a seismic shift on the horizon of cybersecurity. In this article, we’ve seen that CRQCs are defined by their ability to execute quantum algorithms (like Shor’s and Grover’s) at a scale that breaks the cryptographic primitives we rely on daily. While still likely years…
Read More » -
Quantum Computer Factors Record 48-Bit Number – How Far Are We from Cracking RSA-2048?
Factoring a 2048-bit number is in a different universe of complexity, requiring thousands of high-quality qubits and billions of operations – a capability that will likely require years of additional scientific and engineering breakthroughs. The current milestone, while remarkable for quantum computing, does not change the security status of RSA…
Read More »
