Quantum computers risk online security ‘catastrophe’

Quantum computing could lead to “catastrophic” breaches of online security if protective measures are not introduced, or if the technology is first developed by criminal organisations, according to a technology expert at University College Cork.

The technology is so advanced that quantum computers will be capable of breaking the encryption systems, which protect almost all private communications online, including virtually all financial transactions.

No existing online security system would be able to withstand an attack from one.

Emanuele Pelucchi, a quantum physicist from the Tyndall National Institute at UCC who is speaking on the subject today at the Royal Society’s Summer Science Exhibition in London, said it is difficult to comprehend just how powerful quantum computers will be.

“Problems involving massively complex computations which can currently be carried out at the rate of once or twice a year, or which would take so long that they can never be completed, could be solved in a matter of seconds using a quantum computer,” said Dr Pelucchi.

“All logistical calculations, such as mapping flight paths at busy airports such as Heathrow, will take a matter of seconds, as would detailed stock exchange analysis. Likewise, complex calculations involving large sets of variables would all become much simpler.”

Yesterday, Canadian-based computing company D-Wave Systems unveiled what is now the world’s most powerful quantum computer processor — double the size of previous processors.

It is estimated that quantum computing could become a reality within the next 20 to 30 years.

While traditional computers perform their calculations in binary, using 1s and 0s, quantum computers exploit the characteristics of the quantum state of particles at the atomic scale.

“It’s not easy to describe how a quantum computer works, but it’s easy to describe what it does,” said Emeritus Professor of Mathematics at UCC, Patrick Fitzpatrick.

“Essentially it will allow you to do big calculations very, very quickly. It will have an effect on healthcare, on transportation, on manufacturing new drugs. It could even be relevant to climate change and weather prediction.”

Prof Fitzpatrick said that while traditional computers go through lists of possible solutions until it gets the right one, a quantum computer would look at all solutions simultaneously and pick the right one in an instant.

As such, “a lot of changes” will need to be made to safeguard modern cryptosystems.

“A unified effort by researchers, academics, and IT security firms is needed to effectively neutralise this problem before quantum computing becomes a reality,” said Prof Fitzpatrick.

“Quantum computing technology in the wrong hands, without a proper deterrent or protection, could cause a world-wide crisis on a very large scale.”