Numerous research and development programs have been dedicated to advancing quantum computing technology. As exciting as these developments are, they are also worrying. Soon, threat actors will use this technology to crack cryptography or launch massive botnets. Can the professionals keep up?
What makes quantum computing a security threat?
Quantum computing is a security threat due to quantum parallelism: the ability to process a large number of operations simultaneously. Unlike conventional machines, they can quickly process, analyze or perform calculations on big data. Even modern hardware will soon seem slow in comparison.
Entanglement is a fundamental principle of quantum mechanics that makes quantum parallelism possible. Transfer informationat approximately 3 billion meters per second. Entangled particles at the quantum level are permanently interconnected regardless of their distance. If one changes state, so does the other.
Unlike their classic counterparts, these machines do not use drill bits. Instead, they use quantum bits (qubits) that can exist simultaneously.like a one and a zero thanks to the overlap. Information units that exist in multiple states at once create new computing possibilities.
Together, overlay and interleaving speed up operations, enabling rapid processing of massive data sets. They make quantum technology uniquely capable of solving advanced problems. In the wrong hands, unprecedented speed and technical complexity are dangerous.
The effect of quantum computing on data center security
As more organizations migrate to the cloud for scalability and ease of management, data center security becomes critical. Encryption remains one of the primary defenses against cloud threats because it protects sensitive information without requiring significant financial or labor investment. It also protects storage systems from third-party vulnerabilities.
Unfortunately, good things never last long in this field and encryption quickly becomes obsolete. It’s only a matter of time before quantum computers crack cryptography. Thanks to superposition and entanglement, these machines can solve the complex mathematical properties behind today’s leading encryption algorithms.
RSA, the most common encryption scheme, may soon be broken. According to one estimate, a classic computerIt takes approximately 300 billion years. to decrypt an RSA-2048 bit encryption key. A 4,099-qubit quantum computer could solve the same problem in 10 seconds or so.
Machines that size are theoretical, but they may not stay that way for long. The world’s leading engineers continually find ways to innovate, increasing the number of qubits. Some have even discovered technical solutions that allow them to quickly increase processing power.
Quantum hacking is another threat. Adversaries with unprecedented computational capabilities will soon be able to launch massive botnets or run artificial intelligence with disproportionate power. They will have an advantage with hardware infinitely more advanced than data center technology.
Why decision makers should start preparing now
Many industry leaders are reluctant to invest in solutions today because the security risks of quantum computing seem like a distant problem. Although the majority is aware that the equipment is obsoleteincreases your risk of cyber attackIt may take time for them to get used to the reality that classic computers will soon become legacy technology.
Just a few years ago, experts assumed that quantum technology would not be commercially available in their lifetime. Many now believe they will enter consumer markets in the coming decades. This might be an optimistic projection, but it is entirely possible. As exciting as this development may be, the risk of these machines ending up in the wrong hands is high.
Data storage security is critical to the big data field, so decision makers should start preparations now. While investing in quantum-resistant technologies and policies may seem futile now, it will pay off when these advanced machines become commercially viable.
Realistically, only a well-funded threat group has to purchase a quantum computer for this technology to become an information security threat. They would quickly generate demand for a cyberattack-as-a-service model, in which adversaries would pay top dollar for unparalleled computing power. It would create a positive feedback loop, funding operations, maintenance and repairs.
Will companies have enough time to prepare?
Quantum computers may surpass the ability of professionals to protect data, as they cannot do much in the face of technological superiority. Additionally, while threat groups do not yet have these machines, many are engaging in “harvest now, decrypt later” schemes, prioritizing exfiltration for when they gain access to such technology.
Many post-quantum computing security solutions are still in the trial and error phase. For example, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) revealed quantum-resistant cryptographic algorithms in 2022. By 2023, researchers had already cracked one.
A research group broke the CRYSTALS-Kyber algorithmfor general encryption using side channel attacks and artificial intelligence. The problem is that the semantic secrecy accepted by NIST over perfect secrecy, meaning that some of the information about the plaintext could be extracted from the ciphertext. With enough effort, threat actors can decrypt it; It’s just a matter of time.
Currently, there is no one-way function in cryptography. While there are candidates, the reality is that anything based on math can be solved with math. It becomes a question of computing power, which is a problem when quantum technology is on the horizon.
Big Data will benefit from a quantum future
While the threat of exfiltration will increase exponentially with the emergence of commercially viable quantum computing, this technology can still benefit big data professionals. Aside from the fact that it can help them analyze or perform calculations on massive data sets with ease, it allows them to fight fire with fire, so to speak.
Currently, post-quantum computing security focuses on the advancement of cryptography. The next level is to use these machines with each other. They can be the first line of defense, protecting data centers and on-premises storage systems from well-equipped adversaries.
The concept of quantum data centers is relatively new, so it has not yet caught on. Twenty-seven percent of organizationsare interested in the idea but we have not taken action yet. These buildings can last for decades and quantum computers are prohibitively expensive, so decision makers do not consider them practical. However, they may be the next step in big data security.
Using quantum computing as a security tool
The first step towards using quantum computing as a security tool is to reinvent data centers. After all, the potential return on deploying a one-story-high machine for local protection isn’t exactly high. However, server warehouses are noisy and can get hot, and heat and noise affect the qubits, causing high error rates.
Leveraging this technology to level the playing field starts with hardware stabilization and security. Fortunately, researchers are already developing devices to simplify implementation. For example, one group created a tool thatconverts heat into electrical voltage at temperatures close to absolute zero.
Particularly given the resources required to perform complex calculations and the scarcity of this advanced hardware, the results are valuable. Threat actors will seek to gain unauthorized access. Professionals who use their computers to perform calculations or extract information from big data must protect their findings and computational resources.
Protecting data storage in a post-quantum world
Faced with the threat of quantum computing, professionals must act quickly. The basis should be considered as relying on solutions from accredited institutions such as NIST. Companies working with proprietary information or particularly sensitive data sets should seriously consider developing defenses to prepare for a post-quantum world.
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