Quantum News Briefs February 28: NCA executive director shares cybersecurity risks in 2023 in VentureBeat interview; Cloud-based quantum computing lets startups compete with Goliaths; New heterostructure material may offer key to solving quantum computing issue + MORE.
NCA executive director shares cybersecurity risks in 2023 in VentureBeat interview
In an interview with Venture Beat’s Tim Keary, Lisa Plaggemier, executive director at the National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA), shares top cybersecurity risks in 2023. Quantum News Briefs summarizes the quantum security component of the wide-ranging discussion.
Venture Beat asked: Any comments on post-quantum computing threats and the importance of quantum-safe solutions?
Plaggemier: “I don’t think quantum computing presents an immediate cybersecurity threat in the very short term because the technology to facilitate true quantum computing capabilities just hasn’t caught up to the conceptual framework of what QC is capable of.
“That said, it’s not too far off to start thinking about what proper deterrence looks like, especially because the Biden administration has already begun looking at real-world scenarios and protocols with the Quantum Computing Cybersecurity Preparedness Act. The projection is that we’ll see quantum computing reach critical mass in the next 5 to 10 years — an inflection point for cybercriminals.
“The same way threat actors are using generative AI to bolster those low-tech methods, is likely what we’ll see with quantum computing once it’s at a place that has more practical applications. That said, current cybersecurity technologies, awareness and legislation efforts all need to scale proportionately and quickly to create a framework that can be used to deter QC capabilities.
“Quantum computing will be able to break current encryption methods. The enterprise and the government is going to have to better understand that increased investment into quantum-safe cryptographic systems and quantum-resistant algorithms and protocols minimize code-breaking, data theft and financial losses.” Click here to read entire interview.
Cloud-based quantum computing lets startups compete with Goliaths
Cloud based quantum computing services can be shared among many companies, and each pays only for the resources they use. But it doesn’t end there.
Providers are also now offering tools and frameworks to help businesses develop quantum applications. Microsoft’s Quantum Development Kit provides tools and libraries to help developers write and debug quantum programs. IBM’s Qiskit framework provides an open source software development kit for building quantum programs.
Cloud providers are also investing in education and training to help businesses understand and develop quantum applications. IBM offers a Quantum Experience platform that allows users to experiment with quantum computing through a web-based interface. Microsoft provides online courses and training materials to help developers learn about quantum, including building and deploying applications.
Finally, cloud-based quantum computing providers are helping with the talent and advice needed to use quantum computing effectively. They support collaboration and networking with other organizations and experts in the quantum field at all levels. IBM’s Q Network is a global community of organizations working together to advance quantum computing and explore its potential applications. Developers and architects can participate.
Hopefully, we can expand the reach of quantum clouds beyond niche industrial use cases toward wider applications, industries, and problem domains without misapplying it. Cloud providers will need to become more efficient at providing quantum computing services, including things like error handling and other issues that occur during normal operations. Also, they must bring down prices, which many enterprises are still finding higher than expected.
New heterostructure material may offer key to solving quantum computing issue
Jun Zhu, Penn State professor of physics and corresponding author of the study. “How to minimize the negative effect of a classical environment, which causes error in the operation of a quantum computer, is a key problem in quantum computing.” A solution for this problem may be found in an exotic version of a qubit known as a topological qubit. It is a theoretical type of qubit and has not been realized yet, but the basic idea is that the topological properties of certain materials can protect the quantum state from being disturbed by the classical environment.
The study’s researchers have taken a step in this direction by developing a type of layered material called a heterostructure. “We developed a special measurement technique to probe the proximity-induced superconductivity at the surface of the (Bi,Sb)2Te3 film,” Zhu said. “The proximity-induced superconductivity is a key mechanism to realize a topological superconductor. Our work showed that it indeed occurs at the surface of the (Bi,Sb)2Te3 film. This is a first step towards the realization of a topological superconductor.” Click here to read Phys.org article in-entirety.
SK Telecom to unveil quantum cryptography one chip at Mobile World Congress 2023
SK Telecom will showcase a next-generation security chip that integrates a quantum random number generation function and a cryptographic communication function at this week’s Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2023, the world’s largest mobile communication exhibition. Quantum News Briefs summarizes.
SK Telecom announced on Feb. 20 that it has released Quantum Cryptography One Chip, which was developed in cooperation with IDQ, a subsidiary of SK Square, and KCS, a Korean security company. The ultra-light and low-power chip provides security functions to the internet of things (IoT)-based products and devices. The chip features quantum-based encryption key generation technology and physical unclonable function (PUF) technology.
SK Telecom explained that the biggest advantage of the new chip is its strong security. The company is currently in the process of obtaining security certification from the National Intelligence Service of Korea. It expects that the chip can be used for security of wall pads or defense products.
SK Telecom says that the new chip costs 30 percent less than buying one quantum random number generator chip and one cryptographic communication chip. In addition, the chip can decrease the size of a board 20 percent compared to a board with the two chips on. Click here to read BusinessKorea article in-entirety.
Sandra K. Helsel, Ph.D. has been researching and reporting on frontier technologies since 1990. She has her Ph.D. from the University of Arizona.