Introduction:
These days, researchers and computer scientists are putting in the effort to design quantum computers. The reason behind this is to handle such tasks that can not be continued using ordinary computers. These quantum devices can handle strict security measures to keep the important information confidential for always.
What are Post Quantum Encryption Algorithms?
Encryption algorithms help to protect the electronic data from substantial hacking attacks.
These include:
- Company’s confidential information
- Email data
- Financial records
- Project maps
And the list continues…
One of the best advantages of PQC computers is that they provide a maximum security layer to keep data safe from threats.
What Is Quantum Computing?
A quantum computer functions to perform certain advanced computing tasks that a traditional computer can not. The computer functions by considering quantum counterintuitive properties. Due to these properties, such computers can handle both 0’s and 1’s at the same time, which makes complicated calculations fast and accurate.
Why are Quantum Computers Being Developed If They Can Potentially Cause So Much Harm?
The answer is simple! Quantum computers can handle multiple things at a single moment. These computers can perform tasks that involve the interplay of complex variables and numbers. Such variables include:
- Drug design
- Simulation of complicated molecules
- Solutions to the classic “traveling salesman” problem, finding the most efficient route through a number of destinations.
Despite the design of advanced computing machines, researchers still need to work on major technical issues before designing a powerful PQC machine. May think how reliable will these computers be. Here is one thing to understand, which is that quantum computers are going to be a need for strict data encryption in the near future. This is why, it is very important to prepare such machines as soon as possible.
How does post-quantum cryptography differ from quantum cryptography?
Though the names of both techniques are the same, it does not mean they are the same really. Actually, both the terms are very different in their context.
Post Quantum Cryptography (PQC) are those machines that keep the information that is attacked using quantum computers.
On the other hand, Quantum Cryptography is based on fundamental laws of quantum mechanics that use counterintuitive properties to create secure data encryption layers.
How does Current Cryptography Work, and How Would a Quantum Computer Crack It?
Still, in this technological time, modern computers are unable to handle very large numbers in an instant. This problem needs to be focused. When it comes to conventional cryptographic algorithms, they selet 2 very large prime numbers (divisible only by itself and 1). Once selected, the algorithms multiply the numbers to get an even larger number.
Now think you have the resulting bigger number, would it not be difficult to know what original numbers were multiplied together to get the new number? Yes, it would be. The same is the case with conventional cryptography, as it can not break the code. Actually, it could take billions of years to crack these two prime factors.
On the other hand, a quantum computer (PQC) can instantly work on multiple prime factor pairs to detect the original factors.