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NSA doesn't think quantum computers can break public key encryption

TechRadar logo TechRadar 1 day ago Mayank Sharma
a person standing in front of a window: Quantum Computer Maintenance 
(c) Provided by TechRadar Quantum Computer Maintenance

The US National Security Agency (NSA) isn't really sure when or even
if quantum computers will be able to crack public key cryptography.

Post-Quantum Cryptography is an emerging field of research, with
researchers devising mechanisms to shore up current encryption
algorithms against the seemingly unlimited computing performance
promised by quantum computers.

The NSA however has expressed its reservations about the potential of
quantum computing in a FAQ titled Quantum Computing and Post-Quantum
Cryptography. 

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"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," said the security agency in response to whether it is worried
about the potential of adversarial use of quantum computing.

Encryption isn't the weakest link

Public-key encryption drives most of the standards and protocols on
the internet and the cloud, which help ensure the integrity of the
data even when it's been hijacked by snoopers.

In the FAQ, the NSA describes a Cryptographically Relevant Quantum
Computer (CRQC) as a quantum computer that's capable of actually
attacking real world cryptographic systems, something that's
currently infeasible.

While it agrees that such a computer would be "devastating" to the
digital security infrastructure, it seems to suggest that it doesn't
believe such a CRQC would ever materialize.

However, the growing research in quantum computing has moved the
agency to also support the development of post-quantum cryptographic
standards, along with plans for eventual transition to such
standards.

However, speaking to industry experts, The Register concludes that
research on cryptography standards aren't much of a concern to
cybersecurity specialists.

"In a world where users will divulge their passwords in return for
chocolate or in response to an enticing phishing email, the risk of
quantum computers might not be our biggest threat," Martin Lee, a
technical lead at Cisco's Talos security division told The Register.

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Via The Register

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