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Showing posts with label quantum cryptography. Show all posts
Technology
120 qubits Bitcoin encryption fault-tolerant quantum computing GHZ state IBM quantum computer quantum cryptography Technology

IBM’s 120-Qubit Quantum Breakthrough Edges Closer to Cracking Bitcoin Encryption

 

IBM has announced a major leap in quantum computing, moving the tech world a step closer to what many in crypto fear most—a machine capable of breaking Bitcoin’s encryption.

Earlier this month, IBM researchers revealed the creation of a 120-qubit entangled quantum state, marking the most advanced and stable demonstration of its kind so far.

Detailed in a paper titled “Big Cats: Entanglement in 120 Qubits and Beyond,” the study showcases genuine multipartite entanglement across all 120 qubits. This milestone is critical in the journey toward fault-tolerant quantum computers—machines powerful enough to run algorithms that could potentially outpace and even defeat modern cryptography.

“We seek to create a large entangled resource state on a quantum computer using a circuit whose noise is suppressed,” the researchers wrote. “We use techniques from graph theory, stabilizer groups, and circuit uncomputation to achieve this goal.”

This achievement comes amid fierce global competition in the quantum computing race. IBM’s progress surpasses Google Quantum AI’s 105-qubit Willow chip, which recently demonstrated a physics algorithm faster than any classical computer could simulate.

In the experiment, IBM scientists utilized Greenberger–Horne–Zeilinger (GHZ) states, also known as “cat states,” a nod to Schrödinger’s iconic thought experiment. In these states, every qubit exists simultaneously in superposition—both zero and one—and if one changes, all others follow, a phenomenon impossible in classical physics.

“Besides their practical utility, GHZ states have historically been used as a benchmark in various quantum platforms such as ions, superconductors, neutral atoms, and photons,” the researchers noted. “This arises from the fact that these states are extremely sensitive to imperfections in the experiment—indeed, they can be used to achieve quantum sensing at the Heisenberg limit.”

To reach the 120-qubit benchmark, IBM leveraged superconducting circuits and an adaptive compiler that directed operations to the least noisy regions of the chip. They also introduced a method called temporary uncomputation, where qubits that had completed their tasks were briefly disentangled to stabilize before being reconnected.

The performance was evaluated using fidelity, which measures how closely a quantum state matches its theoretical ideal. While a fidelity of 1.0 represents perfect accuracy and 0.5 marks confirmed full entanglement, IBM’s experiment achieved a score of 0.56, verifying that all qubits were coherently connected in one unified system.

Direct testing of such a vast quantum state is computationally unfeasible—it would take longer than the age of the universe to analyze every configuration. Instead, IBM used parity oscillation tests and Direct Fidelity Estimation, statistical techniques that sample subsets of the system to verify synchronization among qubits.

Although IBM’s current system does not yet threaten existing encryption, this progress pushes the boundary closer to a reality where quantum computers could challenge digital security, including Bitcoin’s defenses.

According to Project 11, a quantum research group, roughly 6.6 million BTC—worth about $767 billion—could be at risk from future quantum attacks. This includes coins believed to belong to Bitcoin’s creator, Satoshi Nakamoto.

“This is one of Bitcoin’s biggest controversies: what to do with Satoshi’s coins. You can’t move them, and Satoshi is presumably gone,” Project 11 founder Alex Pruden told Decrypt. “So what happens to that Bitcoin? It’s a significant portion of the supply. Do you burn it, redistribute it, or let a quantum computer get it? Those are the only options.”

Once a Bitcoin address’s public key becomes visible, a sufficiently powerful quantum system could, in theory, reconstruct it and take control of the funds before a transaction is confirmed. While IBM’s 120-qubit experiment cannot yet do this, it signals steady advancement toward that level of capability.

With IBM aiming for fault-tolerant quantum systems by 2030, and rivals like Google and Quantinuum pursuing the same goal, the quantum threat to digital assets is no longer a distant speculation—it’s a growing reality.

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quantum cryptography
Blockchain Blockchain Security Chinese Tech Cyber Security Post-Quantum post-quantum cryptography Quantum Quantum Computers Quantum computing quantum cryptography

Chinese Scientists Develop Quantum-Resistant Blockchain Storage Technology

 

A team of Chinese researchers has unveiled a new blockchain storage solution designed to withstand the growing threat posed by quantum computers. Blockchain, widely regarded as a breakthrough for secure, decentralized record-keeping in areas like finance and logistics, could face major vulnerabilities as quantum computing advances. 

Typically, blockchains use complex encryption based on mathematical problems such as large-number factorization. However, quantum computers can solve these problems at unprecedented speeds, potentially allowing attackers to forge signatures, insert fraudulent data, or disrupt the integrity of entire ledgers. 

“Even the most advanced methods struggle against quantum attacks,” said Wu Tong, associate professor at the University of Science and Technology Beijing. Wu collaborated with researchers from the Beijing Institute of Technology and Guilin University of Electronic Technology to address this challenge. 

Their solution is called EQAS, or Efficient Quantum-Resistant Authentication Storage. It was detailed in early June in the Journal of Software. Unlike traditional encryption that relies on vulnerable math-based signatures, EQAS uses SPHINCS – a post-quantum cryptographic signature tool introduced in 2015. SPHINCS uses hash functions instead of complex equations, enhancing both security and ease of key management across blockchain networks. 

EQAS also separates the processes of data storage and verification. The system uses a “dynamic tree” to generate proofs and a “supertree” structure to validate them. This design improves network scalability and performance while reducing the computational burden on servers. 

The research team tested EQAS’s performance and found that it significantly reduced the time needed for authentication and storage. In simulations, EQAS completed these tasks in approximately 40 seconds—far faster than Ethereum’s average confirmation time of 180 seconds. 

Although quantum attacks on blockchains are still uncommon, experts say it’s only a matter of time. “It’s like a wooden gate being vulnerable to fire. But if you replace the gate with stone, the fire becomes useless,” said Wang Chao, a quantum cryptography professor at Shanghai University, who was not involved in the research. “We need to prepare, but there is no need to panic.” 

As quantum computing continues to evolve, developments like EQAS represent an important step toward future-proofing blockchain systems against next-generation cyber threats.
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Technology
Cryptography Data Encryption data security Indian Security Researchers Quantum communication quantum cryptography Technology

Raman Research Institute’s Breakthrough in Quantum Cybersecurity

 

Scientists at the Raman Research Institute have achieved a significant breakthrough in cybersecurity by developing a novel method for generating truly unpredictable random numbers. This development is essential for strengthening encryption in quantum communications, addressing one of the most pressing challenges in data security today. Traditional encryption methods depend on algorithms and computational complexity to protect data. 
However, with the rise of cyber threats and the imminent advent of quantum computing, there is an increasing demand for more robust and reliable encryption techniques. Quantum computing, in particular, poses a threat to conventional encryption methods as it has the potential to break these systems with ease. Thus, the need for advanced cryptographic solutions has never been more urgent. The team at the Raman Research Institute has created a user-friendly approach to generate random numbers that are genuinely unpredictable. 

This is a critical component for secure encryption because predictable random numbers can compromise the integrity of cryptographic systems. By ensuring that these numbers are entirely random, the new method significantly enhances the security of data transmissions. The unpredictability of these random numbers makes it exponentially harder for potential attackers to predict encryption keys, thereby fortifying data protection. Quantum communication, which relies on the principles of quantum mechanics, offers unparalleled security by making it theoretically impossible for an eavesdropper to intercept and read the transmitted data without being detected. 

However, the effectiveness of quantum communication systems hinges on the quality of the random numbers used in encryption. The breakthrough achieved by the Raman Research Institute addresses this need by providing a reliable source of high-quality random numbers. This advancement not only bolsters current encryption standards but also paves the way for more secure quantum communication networks. 

As cyber threats continue to evolve, the ability to generate truly random numbers will play a crucial role in maintaining the integrity and security of digital communications. This development is particularly significant for industries that rely heavily on data security, such as finance, healthcare, and government sectors. The method developed by the scientists is not only efficient but also practical for real-world applications. It can be integrated into existing systems with minimal modifications, ensuring that organizations can enhance their security measures without significant overhauls. The research team at Raman Research Institute is optimistic that this innovation will set a new standard in cryptographic practices and inspire further advancements in the field. 

The Raman Research Institute’s new method for generating truly unpredictable random numbers marks a significant step forward in cybersecurity. This breakthrough is vital for the development of stronger encryption techniques, particularly in the realm of quantum communications, ensuring that data remains secure in an increasingly digital world. As we move towards more interconnected and data-driven societies, such advancements in cybersecurity are essential to protect sensitive information from sophisticated cyber threats.
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Technology
Cryptographically Relevant Quantum Computer Cryptography data security Quantum computing quantum cryptography Quantum Technology Technology

New Rules for Quantum Encryption Unveiled by Cryptographers

 

Cryptographers are making significant strides in the field of quantum encryption, developing new rules that promise to enhance data security in the quantum computing age. As quantum computers advance, they pose a threat to current encryption methods, which rely on complex mathematical problems that quantum machines could potentially solve with ease. 

This has driven researchers to explore quantum encryption, which leverages the principles of quantum mechanics to create theoretically unbreakable security protocols. Quantum encryption primarily focuses on two main concepts: quantum key distribution (QKD) and post-quantum cryptography (PQC). QKD uses the properties of quantum particles to securely exchange cryptographic keys between parties. 

Any attempt to intercept these keys would alter the quantum states, alerting the parties to the presence of an eavesdropper. PQC, on the other hand, involves developing new cryptographic algorithms that can withstand attacks from both classical and quantum computers. Recent research has introduced innovative approaches to quantum encryption, addressing the challenges of scalability and practical implementation. 

These advancements aim to make quantum encryption more accessible and reliable, ensuring that data remains secure even in a future dominated by quantum computing. One of the most promising developments is the establishment of quantum-resistant algorithms, which can be integrated into existing digital infrastructures. These algorithms are designed to be robust against quantum attacks while maintaining compatibility with current systems. This dual approach ensures a smoother transition from classical to quantum-secure encryption.  

Furthermore, the discovery of new mathematical structures and protocols has opened up possibilities for more efficient and effective quantum encryption methods. These breakthroughs are crucial for protecting sensitive information, from financial transactions to personal communications, in a quantum computing world. The ongoing research in quantum encryption is a testament to the proactive efforts of cryptographers to anticipate and counter the potential threats posed by quantum computers. 

By staying ahead of these challenges, they are laying the groundwork for a future where data security is not only preserved but significantly strengthened. As the field of quantum encryption continues to evolve, it will play a pivotal role in safeguarding digital information against emerging threats. The innovative rules and protocols being developed today will shape the future of cybersecurity, ensuring that privacy and data integrity are maintained in an increasingly interconnected world.
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Zero Trust
5G networks Artificial Intelligence Biometrics Blockchain Cloud Security cutting-edge technologies Cyber Insurance Cyber Security Cybersecurity awareness edge computing quantum cryptography Zero Trust

Top 10 Cutting-Edge Technologies Set to Revolutionize Cybersecurity

 

In the present digital landscape, safeguarding against cyber threats and cybercrimes is a paramount concern due to their increasing sophistication. The advent of new technologies introduces both advantages and disadvantages. 

While these technologies can be harnessed for committing cybercrimes, adept utilization holds the potential to revolutionize cybersecurity. For instance, generative AI, with its ability to learn and generate new content, can be employed to identify anomalies, predict potential risks, and enhance overall security infrastructure. 

The ongoing evolution of technologies will significantly impact cybersecurity strategies as we navigate through the digital realm.

Examining the imminent transformation of cybersecurity, the following ten technologies are poised to play a pivotal role:

1. Quantum Cryptography:
Quantum Cryptography leverages the principles of quantum physics to securely encrypt and transmit data. Quantum key distribution (QKD), a technique ensuring the creation and distribution of interception-resistant keys, forms the foundation of this technology. Quantum cryptography ensures unbreakable security and anonymity for sensitive information and communications.

2. Artificial Intelligence (AI):
AI enables machines and systems to perform tasks requiring human-like intelligence, including learning, reasoning, decision-making, and natural language processing. In cybersecurity, AI automation enhances activities such as threat detection, analysis, response, and prevention. Machine learning capabilities enable AI to identify patterns and anomalies, fortifying cybersecurity against vulnerabilities and hazards.

3. Blockchain:
Blockchain technology creates a decentralized, validated ledger of transactions through a network of nodes. Offering decentralization, immutability, and transparency, blockchain enhances cybersecurity by facilitating digital signatures, smart contracts, identity management, and secure authentication.

4. Biometrics:
Biometrics utilizes physical or behavioral traits for identity verification and system access. By enhancing or replacing traditional authentication methods like passwords, biometrics strengthens cybersecurity and prevents fraud, spoofing, and identity theft.

5. Edge Computing:
Edge computing involves processing data closer to its source or destination, reducing latency, bandwidth, and data transfer costs. This technology enhances cybersecurity by minimizing exposure to external systems, thereby offering increased privacy and data control.

6. Zero Trust:
The zero-trust security concept mandates constant verification and validation of every request and transaction, regardless of the source's location within or outside the network. By limiting lateral movement, unwanted access, and data breaches, zero trust significantly improves cybersecurity.

7. Cloud Security:
Cloud security protects data and applications stored on cloud platforms through tools such as encryption, firewalls, antivirus software, backups, disaster recovery, and identity/access management. Offering scalability, flexibility, and efficiency, cloud security contributes to enhanced cybersecurity.

8. 5G Networks:
5G networks, surpassing 4G in speed, latency, and capacity, improve cybersecurity by enabling more reliable and secure data transfer. Facilitating advancements in blockchain, AI, and IoT, 5G networks play a crucial role in cybersecurity, particularly for vital applications like smart cities, transportation, and healthcare.

9. Cybersecurity Awareness:
Cybersecurity awareness, though not a technology itself, is a critical human component. It involves individuals and organizations defending against cyber threats through security best practices, such as strong passwords, regular software updates, vigilance against phishing emails, and prompt event reporting.

10. Cyber Insurance:
Cyber insurance protects against losses and damages resulting from cyberattacks. Organizations facing financial or reputational setbacks due to incidents like ransomware attacks or data breaches can benefit from cyber insurance, which may also incentivize the adoption of higher security standards and procedures.

Overall, the evolving landscape of cybersecurity is deeply intertwined with technological advancements that both pose challenges and offer solutions. As we embrace the transformative potential of quantum cryptography, artificial intelligence, blockchain, biometrics, edge computing, zero trust, cloud security, 5G networks, cybersecurity awareness, and cyber insurance, it becomes evident that a multi-faceted approach is essential. 

The synergy of these technologies, coupled with a heightened human awareness of cybersecurity best practices, holds the key to fortifying our defenses in the face of increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. As we march forward into the digital future, a proactive integration of these technologies and a commitment to cybersecurity awareness will be paramount in securing our digital domains.
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Sensitive data
Cyber Security Hackers Quantum computing quantum cryptography Sensitive data

In the Future, Quantum Computing will Increase Cybersecurity Risks

 

While dealing with the immediate threat posed by hackers, US government officials are also planning for a longer-term threat: attackers who are collecting sensitive, encrypted material now in the hopes of being able to decrypt it later. Quantum computers, which work in a totally different way than the conventional computers we use, pose a threat. They use quantum bits instead of regular bits made up of 1s and 0s, which can represent multiple values at the same time.

Quantum computers' complexity could make them significantly faster at specific tasks, allowing them to solve issues that are currently hard for modern machines to handle, such as cracking many of the encryption schemes used to safeguard sensitive data including personal, trade, and state secrets. 

“For all the dramatic advances offered by quantum computing, it could create a huge threat to the security of our data,” Terry Halvorsen, IBM’s general manager for client and solutions development in the Federal and Public market. “It offers the powerful potential to break certain types of cryptography that safeguards many critical communications." 

Despite the fact that quantum computers are still in their infancy, are extremely expensive, and are riddled with issues, officials say attempts to protect the country from this long-term threat must begin immediately. 

“The threat of a nation-state adversary getting a large quantum computer and being able to access your information is real,” says Dustin Moody, a mathematician at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). “The threat is that they copy down your encrypted data and hold on to it until they have a quantum computer.” Faced with this "harvest now, decipher later" policy, officials are working to create and implement new encryption algorithms to protect secrets from a new breed of supercomputers. The Department of Homeland Security, for example, claims to be leading a long and challenging transition to post-quantum cryptography.

Quantum computers may be able to defeat asymmetric encryption systems based on integer factorization or discrete logarithms in a matter of seconds. Everyone, from financial services corporations to government organizations, is concerned about this. To protect electronic mortgage data, digital signatures may need to be secure for up to 30 years. 

Experts estimate that quantum computers will take a decade or more to achieve anything significant, but with money flowing into the field in both China and the United States, the race is on to make it happen—and to create better defenses against quantum attacks. According to Moody, who oversees NIST's research on post-quantum cryptography, the US has been sponsoring a contest through NIST since 2016 with the goal of producing the first quantum-computer-proof algorithms by 2024.
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Technology
Cryptographically Relevant Quantum Computer NSA Quantum computing quantum cryptography Technology

NSA Issues FAQs on Quantum Computing and Post-Quantum Cryptography

 

As concerns regarding quantum computing and post-quantum cryptography are overtaking the forefront of cryptographic discussions, especially in areas associated with national defense, the National Security Agency (NSA) has published a document comprising of the most frequently asked questions about Quantum Computing and Post-Quantum Cryptography, in which the agency studied the probable ramifications for national security in the event of the introduction of a "brave new world" far beyond the traditional computing domain. 

This 8-page report provides a summary of quantum computing, its connection with cryptography, the Commercial National Security Algorithm Suite, Commercial Solutions for Classified (CSfC), and the National Information Assurance Partnership (NIAP), as well as forthcoming techniques and cryptography. 

With the advancements the competition for quantum computing also heats up, with a slew of players vying for quantum dominance via diverse, eccentric scientific inquiry avenues, the NSA document examines the possible security risks raised by the establishment of a “Cryptographically Relevant Quantum Computer” (CRQC). 

"NSA does not know when or even if a quantum computer of sufficient size and power to exploit public key cryptography (a CRQC) will exist," it stated. 

A CRQC is the emergence of a quantum-based supercomputer strong and sophisticated enough to bypass conventional encryption techniques developed for classical computing. Whereas these strategies are practically uncrackable with existing or even prospective supercomputers, a quantum computer does not abide by the same rules given the nature of the beast, as well as the superposition, asserts readily accessible to its computing unit, the qubit. 

Considering that governments and labs are striving to develop crypto-busting quantum computers, the NSA stated it was developing “quantum-resistant public key” algorithms for private suppliers to the US government to employ, as part of its Post-Quantum Standardization Effort, which has been in operation since 2016. 

The world depends on public cryptography for strong encryption, such as TLS and SSL, which underpins the HTTPS protocol and help to safeguard user browsing data against third-party spying. 

Eric Trexler, VP of global governments at security shop Forcepoint, told The Register: "Progress on quantum computers has been steadily made over the past few years, and while they may not ever replace our standard, classical computing, they are very effective at solving certain problems. This includes public-key asymmetric cryptography, one of the two different types of cryptosystems in use today." 

Consequently, an agency such as the NSA, which guarantees the security of the United States' technological infrastructure, must cope up with both current and future risks - as one would assume, updating organizations as large as an entire country's key government systems requires an incredible amount of time. 

The NSA wrote, in theory, quantum computers can perform some mathematical calculations tenfold quicker than traditional computers. Quantum computers use “qubits” instead of regular bits, which react and interact as per the laws of quantum mechanics. This quantum-physics-based characteristic might allow a reasonably large quantum computer to do precise mathematical calculations that would have been impossible for any conventional computer to execute. 

According to the NSA, "New cryptography can take 20 years or more to be fully deployed to all National Security Systems (NSS)". And as the agency writes in its document, "(...) a CRQC would be capable of undermining the widely deployed public key algorithms used for asymmetric key exchanges and digital signatures. National Security Systems (NSS) — systems that carry classified or otherwise sensitive military or intelligence information — use public-key cryptography as a critical component to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity of national security information. Without effective mitigation, the impact of adversarial use of a quantum computer could be devastating to NSS and our nation, especially in cases where such information needs to be protected for many decades." 

In its document, the NSA rests the decision of which post-quantum cryptography would be deployed by the United States' national infrastructure solely on the shoulders of the National Institute of Standards and Technologies (NIST), which is "in the process of standardizing quantum-resistant public key in their Post-Quantum Standardization Effort, which started in 2016. This multi-year effort is analyzing a large variety of confidentiality and authentication algorithms for inclusion in future standards," the NSA says.
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