Introduction to Quantum Computing

Quantum computing is one of the emerging topics in information technology that people are focusing on and are developing quite a lot of interest for. However, like with every other change, quantum computing brings with it its own advantages and disadvantages that have to be embraced or overcome when adopting the technology.

Quantum is a Latin word which means amount which can also mean the smallest possible discrete unit of any physical property such as energy or matter in modern understanding (Rouse, 2018). The oxford dictionary defines quantum to be a discrete quantity of energy which is proportional in magnitude to the frequency of the radiation that it represents (Oxford University Press, n.d). Therefore quantum can be said to be a very small unit of any property that can be measured

Quantum computing, is computing using the quantum-mechanical phenomena such as superposition and enlargement (Wikipedia, 2018). It exhaustively uses the abnormal ability of subatomic particles to exist in more than one state at any given time (Beall & Reynolds, 2018). As a result of the behavior of the tiniest of particles, operations can be done more quickly and using less energy as compared to classical computers. Hence quantum computing involves the use of computer s that apply qubits as their unit of measurement which are much smaller than the conventional binary measurements of classical computers.

A quantum computer refers to a device that can perform quantum computing. They can be said to be incredibly powerful machines that make use of a new approach in the processing of information. The computers are built on the principles of quantum mechanics and exploit the complex and fascinating laws of nature that are always in existence but are however left hidden such that they are not seen  (IBM, n.d.)

Advantages of quantum computing

The most significant advantage that comes with quantum computers is the speed. In terms of speed, a quantum computer is a lot faster than both a normal and a super computer. Google has a quantum computing project in partnership with NASA using the D Wave 2 system with 1097 qubits. Recently they discovered that it outperformed super computers by more than three thousand times and a hundred million times a normal computer on an optimization problem solving it in mere seconds (Nield, 2015). Therefore with a quantum computer, the indefinite waiting for complex algorithms to be solved will no longer be such a big problem.

Advantages of Quantum Computing

Application of quantum computers would revolutionize healthcare delivery by making personalized medicine a reality and enabling complex modeling of proteins in the genomes to be carried out quickly therefore speeding up research and new molecule development.

Quantum communication and quantum internet will become realities. To this effect, a China-based scientists have developed a quantum internet system that’s impermeable to hacking. The principle behind the internet is “quantum enlargement” whereby data is not sent over the internet but is mirrored making use a pair of photons. Since no data is travelling therefore no data stealing can take place (Technology for Accountants, 2017). This is a solution for both quantum and classical computers to solve the issue of security, hacking and information theft.

Disadvantages of quantum computing

As with any new technology or innovation, there is always a disadvantage that comes with its adoption. However, people always find a way to mitigate the effects, do away with the current technology in use in order to adopt the new technology in a safer environment without bringing great negative impacts on the society or adopt the technology gradually as they solve the anticipated issues.

The greatest problem that quantum computing poses is security. The most current cryptography that drives online commerce and banking depends on the use of complex mathematics problems that are difficult to solve in a realistic time period by the classic computers. However, quantum computers are good at such things therefore it’s not a problem for them. All algorithms for encryption and decryption have their basis from Prime Factors. A quantum computer has the ability to calculate the prime factors of a number with a lot of ease (E-spin, 2018). In fact, the non-profit Cloud Security Alliance says that within fifteen years every public key infrastructure (PKI) driving online security would be broken leading to lots devastating effects on the economy globally(Leipzig, 2017).

Once the public key cryptosystems are broken it will not be possible to determine if a Rivest-Shamir-Adleman signature (RSA) or Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm signature (ECDSA) was made by the legitimate owner of the key or not. Although new signatures can be made by quantum-safe algorithms, a large number of previously signed data will still be out there (Jones, 2017). This scenario will lead to a lot of trust issues especially on financial institutions where one does not know if the signature used is real or fake.

Quantum computers are also said to be unstable and the materials to be used to build one, are from future technology which are not yet fully developed. Therefore, a quantum computer cannot be fully developed since scientists are not sure of how it should be and what should be done to make it very stable.

Disadvantages of Quantum Computing

Solutions and alternatives to mitigate effects

As much as a technology has its negative effects, what determines if, when, and how it will be adopted are the solutions to the problems that come with it. If the disadvantages outweigh the advantages and a solution is not found in time then the adoption of that technology will have to be delay until such a time that there are counter measures for the threats it presents.

There are several alternatives to solving the quantum computing security issue. These include advancing the traditional math-based encryption, pursuing a new approach that is not reliant on mathematics or using a combination of the two options (Ribordy, 2017).

Advancing traditional math-based encryption will involve improving the quality of the encryption such that it is no longer susceptible to quantum computers. The advantage brought about by the math-based cryptography is the fact that it is more agile, very adaptable and is capable of fitting the needs of different applications with a lot of ease. However, as a result of the malleability, math-based cryptography is vulnerable to future attacks based on both classical or quantum computing.

An alternative to using math-based encryption is using cryptography that makes use of physics for security. This can also be said to be quantum-based. The advantage that comes from a physics-based cryptography is its power as a long-term solution to future-proof core networks and infrastructure. However, the major constraints and limiting factors are the costs involved and the application constraints that render its application field to be more limited.

To counter the security effects that will arise once quantum computers are in action, both math-based and quantum-based encryption will have to play their part. Therefore, a hybrid solution that includes both math-based and physics-based cryptography is essential if the security threat is to be effectively dealt with. However as it is, organizations should look at the data they have and determine what will still be relevant in the next five to ten years. This evaluation will guide them in order to invest in quantum safe communication infrastructure that will render their relevant data safe even then and not just putting it off since it’s currently not a problem (Ribordy, 2017).

Other than that, another approach would be to notarize signed data using quantum-safe algorithms, before we believe that quantum computing is available (Jones, 2017). This will be done by embedding a timestamp in a quantum-safe signature. This it possible to assert that the classical signature was valid during previous inspection before the advent of quantum computing. However, the necessity of this procedure is dependent on the lifespan of the data. In fields such as law and finance, data needs storing and to be trusted long enough to make this a worthwhile endevour.

References

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Oxford University Press, n.d. Quantum. [Online]
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Technology for Accountants, 2017. Advantages Of Quantum Computers. [Online]
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Wikipedia, 2018. Quantum Computing. [Online]
Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_computing
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