Condensed matter physicist and quantum information expert Sankar Das Sarma has argued in MIT Technology Review that quantum computers are still very far from cracking RSA-based cryptography.
RSA cryptography uses algorithms, codes and keys to securely encrypt private data without interference from third parties or malicious actors such as hackers. An example of the methodology in crypto is the creation of a new wallet that generates a public address and private key.
Quantum security is seen as a major issue in the blockchain and crypto sectors, and it is widely believed that powerful quantum computers will one day be advanced enough to be able to hack current cryptography. This could lead to the theft of billions of dollars worth of digital assets or bring down blockchain technology. There are numerous projects dedicated to the development of quantum-safe cryptography and blockchains.
Sarma is currently director of the University of Maryland’s Condensed Matter Theory Center and laid out his thoughts in Technology Review earlier this week.
The physicist said he’s “disturbed by some of the quantum computing hype I’m seeing these days” and hailed the current state of the technology as “a tremendous scientific achievement.” However, this does not bring us “any closer to a quantum computer that can solve a problem that interests everyone”.
“It’s like trying to make today’s best smartphones with vacuum tubes from the early 20th century.”
The physicist pointed out that prime factorization, in which a “quantum computer can solve the difficult problem of finding the prime factors of large numbers exponentially faster than any classical scheme”, but cracking cryptography is currently far beyond the reach of current computing power.
Sarma pointed to “qubits,” which are quantum objects like an electron or photon that enable the advanced capabilities of a quantum computer:
“Today’s most advanced quantum computers have dozens of decoherent (or “noisy”) physical qubits. Building a quantum computer that could crack RSA codes from such components would require many millions, if not billions, of qubits.”
“Only tens of thousands of these would be used for calculations – so-called logical qubits; the rest would be needed for error correction to compensate for decoherence,” he added.
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While reluctant to ring cryptographic alarm bells, Sarma noted that a true quantum computer “will have applications unthinkable today.” So nobody could have predicted that the first transistor in 1947 would lead to the laptops and smartphones of that era.
“I am hopeful and a strong believer in quantum computing as a potentially disruptive technology, but to suggest that in the near future it would start producing millions of dollars in profits for real companies that sell services or products is very confusing to me. ” he said,
Although the danger is far off, numerous companies are already making efforts to strengthen quantum security. Cointelegraph reported last month that US banking giant JP Morgan revealed research on a blockchain network for quantum key distribution resistant to quantum computer attacks.
Xx Labs has also launched a blockchain that it claims is a “quantum-resistant and privacy-focused blockchain ecosystem.”