All Post-Quantum, PQC Posts
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Post-Quantum, PQC, Quantum Security
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 could just build a quantum machine with a few thousand perfect qubits, decades of RSA-protected…
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Post-Quantum, PQC, Quantum Security
Telecom’s Quantum‑Safe Imperative: Challenges in Adopting Post‑Quantum Cryptography
The race is on to quantum‑proof the world’s telecom networks. With cryptographically relevant quantum computers (CRQC) projected to arrive by the 2030s, global communications providers face an urgent mandate to upgrade their security foundations. Today’s mobile and fixed‑line networks rely on public-key cryptography that quantum algorithms could eventually break. In response, the telecom industry is turning to post-quantum cryptography (PQC) as the primary defense. Yet…
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Post-Quantum, PQC, Quantum Security
Quantum Computing Risks to Cryptocurrencies – Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Beyond
Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum derive their security from cryptographic algorithms – mathematical puzzles that are practically impossible for classical computers to solve in any reasonable time. However, the emergence of quantum computing threatens this security assumption. Unlike classical machines, quantum computers leverage quantum mechanics to perform certain computations exponentially faster, potentially breaking the cryptographic foundations of blockchain systems. While quantum computers remain in their…
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Post-Quantum, PQC, Quantum Security
Rethinking Crypto-Agility
At its core, crypto-agility means being able to swiftly swap out cryptographic algorithms or implementations when weaknesses emerge. In an ideal world, an organization could “drop in” a new encryption algorithm as easily as a software patch, ensuring they stay ahead of threats like quantum computing. The goal is admirable - if you’re nimble in updating encryption, migrating to stronger algorithms is “no big deal”.…
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Post-Quantum, PQC, Quantum Security
Law Enforcement in the Quantum Computing Era
Law enforcement agencies occupy a unique position in the context of the quantum threat. They are both protectors of society’s security and heavy users of sensitive information systems, which makes them especially exposed if those systems are compromised. Here’s why law enforcement is special: Highly Sensitive Data: Police and investigative agencies handle data that could be devastating if leaked – witness identities, undercover operations, criminal…
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Post-Quantum, PQC, Quantum Security
Cybersecurity Negligence and Personal Liability: What CISOs and Board Members Need to Know
“Could I personally be sued or fined if our company gets breached?” This uneasy question is crossing the minds of many CISOs and board members lately. High-profile cyber incidents and evolving regulations have made it clear that cybersecurity is not just an IT problem - it’s a corporate governance and legal liability issue. Defining “Reasonable” Cybersecurity: From Learned Hand to Global Standards What does it…
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Post-Quantum, PQC, Quantum Security
Quantum Security: Understanding the Terminology and Context
"Quantum security" is a term that is increasingly being used. With everyone having their own definition of the term. It can carry multiple meanings depending on context, but so do other related terms. The whole field is fairly new and related terms are not yet clearly defined. So this is my attempt to untangle the ambiguity by exploring what quantum security commonly refers to, how…
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Post-Quantum, PQC, Quantum Security
Upgrading OT Systems to Post‑Quantum Cryptography (PQC): Challenges and Strategies
Operational Technology (OT) environments, such as industrial control systems and critical infrastructure, are especially at risk due to their long-lived devices and infrequent updates. Many OT systems deployed today will still be in use a decade or two from now, well within the timeframe experts anticipate quantum attacks to become practical. The most critical OT systems will likely be the last to become quantum safe…
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