How quantum computers can destroy the usual encryption systems.
Professor Massimiliano Sala of the University of Trento in Italy recently discussed the future of blockchain technologies and their relationship to encryption and quantum computing with the Ripple team as part of the company's university lecture series.
Sala paid attention to the potential threat that quantum computers pose as they evolve. According to the professor, modern encryption methods can be easily solved for quantum computers of the future, which puts entire blockchains at risk.
According to the professor, "quantum computers can easily solve the problems underlying digital signatures, which potentially undermines the mechanisms for protecting user assets on blockchain platforms." This is a hypothetical paradigm called "Q-day", the moment when quantum computers will become powerful enough and accessible enough for attackers to crack classical encryption methods.
Such changes can have far-reaching implications for any area where data security is important — including emergency services, infrastructure, banking, and defense. However, these changes may be the most disruptive for the world of cryptocurrencies and blockchain.
Sala warns that "all classical public-key cryptosystems should be replaced with analogs that are protected from quantum attacks." The idea is that a future quantum computer or quantum attack algorithm can crack the encryption of these keys using mathematical brute force.
It should be noted that Bitcoin, the most popular cryptocurrency and blockchain in the world, falls under this category.
Although there is currently no practical quantum computer capable of such a thing, governments and scientific institutions around the world are preparing for "Q-day", viewing it as an inevitability. Sala believes that such an event is not imminent in the near future. However, the achievements demonstrated by physicists in dozens of academic and commercial laboratories have led many experts in this field to believe that such systems can appear within a few years.
As a result, Sala is satisfied with the progress in this area and recommends that blockchain developers continue to work with encryption experts who understand the standards and innovations associated with the quantum protection of modern systems.
Professor Massimiliano Sala of the University of Trento in Italy recently discussed the future of blockchain technologies and their relationship to encryption and quantum computing with the Ripple team as part of the company's university lecture series.
Sala paid attention to the potential threat that quantum computers pose as they evolve. According to the professor, modern encryption methods can be easily solved for quantum computers of the future, which puts entire blockchains at risk.
According to the professor, "quantum computers can easily solve the problems underlying digital signatures, which potentially undermines the mechanisms for protecting user assets on blockchain platforms." This is a hypothetical paradigm called "Q-day", the moment when quantum computers will become powerful enough and accessible enough for attackers to crack classical encryption methods.
Such changes can have far-reaching implications for any area where data security is important — including emergency services, infrastructure, banking, and defense. However, these changes may be the most disruptive for the world of cryptocurrencies and blockchain.
Sala warns that "all classical public-key cryptosystems should be replaced with analogs that are protected from quantum attacks." The idea is that a future quantum computer or quantum attack algorithm can crack the encryption of these keys using mathematical brute force.
It should be noted that Bitcoin, the most popular cryptocurrency and blockchain in the world, falls under this category.
Although there is currently no practical quantum computer capable of such a thing, governments and scientific institutions around the world are preparing for "Q-day", viewing it as an inevitability. Sala believes that such an event is not imminent in the near future. However, the achievements demonstrated by physicists in dozens of academic and commercial laboratories have led many experts in this field to believe that such systems can appear within a few years.
As a result, Sala is satisfied with the progress in this area and recommends that blockchain developers continue to work with encryption experts who understand the standards and innovations associated with the quantum protection of modern systems.
