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Argumentative Research Paper 1
C
C456 Task 2: Argumentative Research Paper
Western Governors University
While the advances in quantum computing (QC) have intimidated many cybersecurity experts for years, recent revelations have shown that simple preventative measures can ensure safe internet environments for many years to come. It’s true that the dawn of quantum computing will bring in a new era of super powerful systems able to process complex equations with ease making the concept of quantum computing a viable concern to any diligent security professional. However, most of the theoretical projections of the true potential quantum systems are capable of are just that for now, nothing more than theories. Even when the inevitable evolution of quantum computers reach a level of performance and availability that the average malicious hacker can obtain one and become a threat; a few cybersecurity experts with reliable foresight have already been working tirelessly to engineer creative solutions to current cryptology methods to ensure they will be “quantum safe” for future generations. Although many older encryption standards may be rendered obsolete even by the current capabilities of quantum computers, it is believed that any cryptology method that offers 256 bit encryption will be more than strong enough to render quantum attacks ineffective. Another consideration is that of the application of quantum based cryptology as a cybersecurity asset. While the superior power of a quantum processor may be used to crack cyphers created by common PC’s with ease, imagine the capabilities of using that same power to create even more complex cryptology methods than previously conceived in modern computing environments. Although QC may pose some valid concerns, research suggests that the implications of quantum computing in cybersecurity aren’t as big of a threat as
Argumentative Research Paper previously thought due to the counter-measures currently being developed to ensure quantum safety and the physical limitations in quantum systems. There are multiple methods as to which some experts speculate quantum computing can be used to bypass common security, most notably the methods theorized for cracking popular encryptions such as AES and RSA, luckily many experts have already began working on solutions to these future threats. One of the largest threats identified is that of internet certificate forgery, most specifically the implications it would have in online transactions. As stated by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2018) , an attacker using Shor’s algorithm could potentially forge both RSA and ECDSA signatures, enabling them to issue fake certificates, forge signatures on malicious software, and even make transactions on others behalf. The reason this attack is possible is due to the fact that Shor’s algorithm can be used as an effective method for cracking asymmetric encryptions used most commonly for key exchanges based on RSA and Diffie-Hellman algorithms. A major effort currently being made to protect systems using key exchange is the development of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD). This exciting new concept actually uses quantum computing to its advantage, according to ID Quantique (n.d.) it will be a method that can instantly detect any attempts to capture keys on the network and ensure passive interception is not possible. Another possible vector for vulnerability in the quantum environment would be to also attack symmetric encryption standards using Grover’s algorithm. Symmetric encryption such as AES has been made popular in many security implementations because the way the sensitive information is scrambled into an encrypted cypher-text or hash. While AES seems to be much less vulnerable than standards like RSA as even the most optimistic predictions state that AES with 128 bit encryption could potentially be broken in around a month’s timeline, it’s still notable that if realized this capability could be a
Argumentative Research Paper qubits, and boasts that they intend to have the first 1,000 qubit systems implemented by 2023 (Cho, 2020). Even with the promise of a 1,000 qubit quantum system guaranteed to be one of, if not the most powerful system to date, it still falls painfully short of the requirements needed to be of a real threat for modern encryption standards “The future code-breaking quantum computers would need 100,000 times more processing power and an error rate 100 times better than today’s best quantum computers have achieved” ( Denning, 2019). With the consideration of a 1, qubit quantum computer still being years away it is important to understand that even the threats mentioned earlier to RSA1024 would require approximately 2,300 logical fault tolerant qubits as referenced in National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (2018). Yet another daunting challenge faced by quantum computing is the fact that qubits require extremely low temperatures and very precise conditions in order to operate properly. In fact, according to Hsu (2013) one of the longest continuous data transfers in QC history performed in a room temperature environment was only able to last about 39 minutes, making the idea that soon any serious hacker could potentially own and operate a highly powerful quantum computer from home a very far-fetched concept to say the least. While the age of QC will certainly bring with it a host of various security concerns, the truth of the matter is that by the time the evolution of quantum computing reaches the threshold of being available to the average malicious hacker, there will already be many measures in place to combat these quantum-based threats. While the insight into the future of quantum computing promises to redefine traditional computing as we know it, the shadow it once cast onto the world of cybersecurity seems to be fading rapidly. The fears dreamed up of the many experts imagining the full potential of a quantum system have for the most part been proven to be less than threating the closer we come to understanding the reality of what QC’s impact will truly be. With some of the world’s leading
Argumentative Research Paper experts already working diligently to ensure quantum-safe security measures will be readily available as the technology evolves, we can rest assured that the safety of our data is in dependable hands. Consequentially, while the fate of internet security currently rests in good hands, the hands malicious hackers eagerly wait to grasp the power of what quantum computing withholds. Fortunately, these enemies will likely be waiting generations before they can seize the opportunity to conceptualize more ways to implement this power for ill intent. That being said, the truth about technology is that any new action towards bypassing a security measure will always initiate a reaction towards protecting the same measure. In conclusion, while the threat of quantum computing theoretically poses some threats to security methods still in use today, recent discoveries prove that due to advancements in quantum-security being developed and the daunting physical shortcomings quantum systems face, our future networks will be even more secure than ever before.
References:
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2018) Quantum Computing: Progress and Prospects. https://books.google.com/books? hl=en&lr=&id=jjiPDwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PR1&dq=cybersecurity+implications+of+quantu m+computing&ots=fkP4vqQA6G&sig=a7maB1JHU8oHjVTMRlwR1- X8qa8#v=onepage&q&f=false ID Quantique (n.d.) The Cybersecurity Implications of Quantum Computing. IDQ. https://www.idquantique.com/quantum-safe-security/quantum-computing/cybersecurity-implications/ Rjaibi, W. (n.d.) Quantum Computing and Cybersecurity: How to Capitalize on Opportunities and Sidestep Risks. IBM. https://www.ibm.com/thought-leadership/institute-business-value/report/quantumsecurity Sham, S. (2019, July 12th) The Impact of Quantum Computing on Cybersecurity. OKTA. https://www.okta.com/blog/2019/07/the-impact-of-quantum-computing-on-cybersecurity/ Cho, A. (2020) IBM promises 1000-qubit quantum computer—a milestone—by 2023. Science Magazine. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/09/ibm-promises-1000-qubit-quantum-
