Quantum computers are said to be coming quite soon and will change the world forever. While that phrase would typically mean a revolution in physics and medicine, the change which is undoubtfully hanging in the air is the change of the information security paradigm.<\/p>\n
The discussions surrounding quantum computers<\/a>, which are able \u2014 among other things \u2014 to quickly decrypt ciphers<\/a>, have been going on for decades. The idea remained a utopian concept upheld by scientists and did not crystalize in any realistic tech elaboration.<\/p>\n Now we have reached the tipping point. In August the US National Security Agency (NSA) issued a new edition of its security recommendations<\/a> for the industry. Ironically the NSA, notorious for its pervasive wide-scale surveillance methods, at the same time performs a completely opposite function in this regard.<\/p>\n The organization is designed to maintain secrecy of the critical and classified state-relevant information and propose recommendations on the most preferable and efficient encryption methods and other means on information protection to state organizations and private users. The major change which fueled the discussion on quantum computers was the agency\u2019s decision to move away from the recommended crypto standard, known as SUITE B.<\/p>\n The NSA explains this decision by citing recent physics and technology breakthroughs evolving at a much faster pace than was previously assumed. The agency states, that practical quantum computers might become a reality quite soon, weakening existing systems based on encryption, digital signatures, or key exchange and making them vulnerable to the new generation of attacks.<\/p>\n Do you know what #quantum<\/a> #cryptography<\/a> is? Find out over at Kaspersky Daily! http:\/\/t.co\/y7JJ4bieTW<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Kaspersky (@kaspersky) October 7, 2013<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n