PKI and Quantum Computing

[Tiger]

The thought of Quantum computing advances and Quantum computers being freely available will make our current cryptographic systems redundant. PKI will expire soon.  Are there new algorithms being developed and also what is the approach. Is the NSA doing something about this? Is it something on your Organisation's radar today ?

https://www.yemi.tech/info-sec-blog/2018/2/15/quantum-computing-breakthrough-a-new-threat-to-cryptog...

[FredrickB]

Hi, fresh here so apologies for any mistakes by me!  A question about RSA, strenghth  and quantum computing (qubits), I have heard  in conferences and lectures over the past years quite different stories on how many qubits it takes to actually break RSA cryptography, a range from "a few" to "several hundreds", I guess this also depends on the quality of the qubits and their entanglement, but does anyone have a good estimate?

[rslade]

> FredrickB (Viewer) posted a new reply in Tech Talk on 02-18-2021 09:50 AM in the

> Hi, fresh here so apologies for any mistakes by me!  A question about RSA,
> strenghth  and quantum computing (qubits), I have heard  in conferences and
> lectures over the past years quite different stories on how many qubits it takes
> to actually break RSA cryptography, a range from "a few" to "several hundreds",
> I guess this also depends on the quality of the qubits and their entanglement,
> but does anyone have a good estimate?

Using the Shor algorithm you need twice as many qubits as the length of the key.
So, to break a 4,000 bit key, you need a machine with 8,000 qubits.

Since, except for D-Wave, we are only barely into double digits on most quantum
computers, we have some ways to go. (D-Wave doesn't count, since it is best
described as a quantum co-processor, rather than a full-fledged quantum computer.
Specifically, it cannot run the Shor algorithm.)

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[waltzie]

Nist is at final stage to define PQC Algorithm

@https://csrc.nist.gov/projects/post-quantum-cryptography

The only big problem is .. htat those will be good untill someone else will find Qauntum Algorithms to break them.
The best way is start to consider the Crypto Agility as a must.

[Caute_cautim]

HI @rslade

The main issue is having sufficient Quantum Memory which is stable enough to accommodate the Quantum Cryptography algorithms in order to break the RSA keys, there have been some exaggerations from various sources, which under scrutiny fail. 

We may reach that level in 2026 or up to 2031 - the race is on at the present time.

Although the State Actors are actively working underground to achieve this pouring vast sums into the research and technologies required.

Regards

Caute_Cautim