How will quantum computing impact security processes?
Quantum computers have the potential to perform calculations faster than ever possible before, inviting a significant rethink in how we approach cyber security.
Given the amount of research being ploughed into this area, we are likely to see a commercially viable machine in the near future, so cryptographers and the cyber security industry in general should work to have a clear view on the implications way ahead of that achievement.
Every current computer -- smartphones, laptops, smart TVs -- manipulates binary digits (bits), and these bits can only have two values: "0" or "1". (Note: bits are also used to quantify the strength of an encryption method e.g. 128-bit, 256-bit encryption... the more the better!) Quantum computers, however, use quantum bits (also known as "qubits"), where the value can be 0, 1 or both.
