With the growth of technology, cybersecurity has become more important than ever. But the emergence of quantum computers poses a serious threat to traditional encryption methods.
The Quantum Threat
Cryptographic algorithms such as RSA and ECC, which are used today to protect banking data, emails, and online transactions, are based on the difficulty of solving certain mathematical problems (such as factoring large numbers). But a quantum computer using Shor’s Algorithm can break these locks in a very short time.
The Solution: Quantum Cryptography
To counter this threat, scientists have developed new methods:
Post-Quantum Cryptography: New algorithms that even quantum computers cannot break.
Quantum Key Distribution (QKD): A method in which cryptographic keys are transmitted using entangled photons. The slightest eavesdropping attempt changes the state of the photons, revealing a security breach.
Global Projects
China was the first country to launch a quantum communications satellite.
Banks and financial centers in Europe have begun testing QKD.
The Future of Quantum Cybersecurity
In the next few years, sensitive organizations such as banks, the military, and governments will move towards using QKD. Over time, the technology will also find its way into more public sectors.