Quantum computing - A power like no other

Quantum computing, a powerful technology that takes advantage of quantum mechanics to solve complex problems substantially faster than classical computing, has become a hot topic in recent years.

And big tech companies have been quick to take notice and invest in this revolutionary technology to dominate the space and make the most of its commercial applications.

Tech giants such as Google, Microsoft, Amazon, IBM, and Intel¹ are currently working on developing their own quantum computing hardware and are racing to actualise their strong quantum plans with other key technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and the cloud.

Impressive quantum computing projects are currently underway, including Google’s open-source Quantum Virtual Machine.² In the coming years, even more remarkable quantum computing endeavours are expected to take centre stage. 

Though it’s still in its early stages, the tech industry is excited about quantum computing’s great potential and transformative benefits. 

Quantum computers can solve complex mathematical problems — ones that are even deemed as computationally impossible to solve — faster and more efficiently than traditional computers can.

And organisations can take advantage of this emerging technology for ground-breaking projects that can improve the lives and livelihoods of people across the globe.

Some impressive quantum computing benefits include: 

It can be abused to decrypt data

Quantum computing renders public key cryptography (PKC), otherwise referred to as asymmetric cryptography, vulnerable to decryption.⁷

PKC is a type of cryptography that is used in data encryption and digital signature applications, and quantum computing can break most authentication protocols. This can lead to data decryption — including mission-critical data, personally identifiable information, trade secrets, and more.

It can decrypt previously harvested data from past breaches

Cybercriminal gangs who are sitting on vast amounts of harvested encrypted data from previous attacks will be able to decrypt them with the help of quantum computing.

Over the years, many big-name organisations all over the world fell prey to data breaches. In fact, during the first quarter of 2023 alone, more than six million data records were stolen by malicious actors.⁸

Big tech companies are investing huge sums of money on quantum computing. In 2022, tech investors put down US$2.35 billion into quantum technology companies.⁹

Soon, quantum computing-powered breakthroughs will be commonplace. And as this technology becomes more widely available to scientists and researchers for innovative projects, sadly, it will also be accessible to cybercriminals for malicious use. 

Organisations can prepare for a post-quantum world by adopting security solutions that can counter potential quantum computing threats.

Singtel’s Quantum-Safe Network (QSN) ensures the secrecy of encryption keys. It also uses cryptographic techniques that are quantum-resistant such as quantum key distribution (QKD) and post-quantum cryptography.

Singtel QSN is a forward-looking network solution that protects your optical, IP, software-defined, and internet networks by providing the following benefits:

· It’s powered by QKD, which is based on the laws of quantum physics, and cannot be decrypted by current or future mathematical algorithms.

· It doesn’t rely on any public key infrastructure, ensuring that data and key exchanges are kept secure.

· It provides quantum-safe networks to customers across Singapore via Singtel’s fibre network.

Future-proof your organisation, protect your critical information, and build a secure and resilient network with Singtel QSN.