Post-Quantum Cryptography: The Next Frontier in Cybersecurity

Anurag Lal Anurag Lal, President and CEO of Infinite Convergence.

Quantum computers are the computers of tomorrow. Using the principles of quantum mechanics, quantum computers have tremendous compute power which allows these devices to perform complex calculations at unimaginable speeds.

Consider that these computers may be able to break current encryption protocols not in trillions of years but in seconds.

According to QuintessenceLabs, a conventional computer needs 300 trillion years to crack RSA 2048 prime number factor encryption. A 4,099-qubit quantum computer would need just 10 seconds to crack the same RSA key.

Gartner predicts that by 2029, advances in quantum computing will render applications, data and networks protected by asymmetric cryptography unsafe and by 2034, quantum computing technologies will be able to fully break this cryptography.

The looming quantum computing threat to many currently used encryption methods has spurred the development of quantum-proof cryptography called post-quantum cryptography (PQC), encryption technology that is ushering in a new frontier in cybersecurity.

Quantum computing is a question of when not if and enterprises will need to take proactive steps to quantum-proof their operations with post-quantum cryptography.

The next frontier in cybersecurity

With quantum computing on the horizon, post quantum cryptographic algorithms are being developed to secure data against quantum computing attacks.

PQC – also known as quantum-proof cryptography, quantum-safe cryptography, or quantum-resistant cryptography – is an entirely new field of cryptography that uses complex mathematics to protect data and systems from quantum computing attacks. These encryption systems are designed to secure data against attacks from both classical computers (the computers of today) and the quantum computers of tomorrow.

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) recently released three finalized post quantum encryption standards designed to withstand cyberattacks from a quantum computer.

The result of an eight-year effort and ready for immediate use, these standards contain the encryption algorithms’ computer code, instructions for how to implement them, and their intended uses.

NIST is encouraging computer system administrators to begin transitioning to the new standards as soon as possible.

Enterprises need PQC now

Many experts believe “Q-Day”– the day when quantum computers are powerful enough to crack current encryption protocols – might still be between 5 and 20 years away.

However, quantum computers may be here sooner than experts think. According to a recent survey of more than 900 quantum professionals by QuEra, over 50% of respondents indicated that the pace of quantum computing development is faster (41.2%) or much faster (10.2%) than they expected. The survey also revealed that 40% of respondents say quantum computing will become a superior alternative to classical computing for certain workloads within the next 5 years.

With the technology some years away, enterprises might think they don’t have to worry about quantum computing or securing data and systems against quantum computing attacks. The fact is enterprises do need to be preparing for the era of quantum computing NOW.

Why? Because cybercriminals are preparing now. Bad actors are already attacking organizations and stealing encrypted data in anticipation of using quantum computers to decrypt it. Known as harvest now decrypt later (HNDL) attacks, cybercriminals are mining data from messaging apps, collaboration tools and other systems, putting sensitive business data at risk of exposure and exploitation.

A poll by Deloitte found that just over half of respondents at organizations considering quantum computing benefits believe that their organizations are at risk for HNDL cybersecurity attacks.

To make their systems quantum-safe, enterprises must take steps now to safeguard their digital ecosystems with quantum-safe technologies.

NetSfere makes communication and collaboration quantum-safe

In building quantum readiness, it is critical for enterprises to secure business communication. Making communication and collaboration quantum-safe is essential to protecting the security, privacy, and integrity of sensitive business information and data.

Even with the threat of HNDL attacks, many organizations are not yet evaluating the quantum readiness of their communication and collaboration solutions. Metrigy’s recent Workplace Collaboration and Contact Center Security and Compliance global study of 338 organizations found that just 18.1% of companies assess their workplace collaboration vendors’ support for quantum-resistant cryptography.

NetSfere is quantum ready.

NetSfere’s recently introduced crypto-agile architecture that sets a new standard for secure communications in the industry.

NetSfere’s crypto-agile architecture and cutting-edge post-quantum encryption is designed to meet future cryptographic challenges by integrating the NIST-recommended Module Lattice-based Key Encryption Module (ML-KEM) algorithm. This advanced post-quantum encryption ensures that NetSfere’s security remains resilient and robust in the era of quantum computing, safeguarding enterprise data against the complex threats of today and tomorrow.

The combination of NetSfere’s post-quantum encryption and AI-driven platform delivers unmatched protection and productivity, allowing businesses to operate with confidence, knowing their communications are fully secure.

Wrapping up

Quantum computing holds a lot of promise for many industries. The technology can help with fraud detection, drug discovery, development of new products and much more. However, as with any new technology, there are risks.

HNDL attacks are happening now and will increase data breaches when cybercriminals gain access to quantum computers.

Organizations can mitigate quantum computing risks and become quantum resilient by leveraging solutions that integrate post-quantum cryptography.

Partnering with forward-thinking solution providers like NetSfere that integrate PQC into their tools and technology is the best defense against emerging quantum attacks and the best strategy for the long-term security, confidentiality, and integrity of their data.



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