Quantum Computing: Principles of Breaking Encryption

Abstract

The basis of modern security relies on encryption methods that are practically impossible, but theoretically possible, to break. Quantum computing is a process by which a computer takes advantage of quantum mechanics to solve complex problems. IBM has been working on and has made quantum computers available for almost a decade now. These machines can be used for cryptography related problems like decrypting complex encryptions much faster than the classical computers we have today. So much faster in fact, that a quantum computer can factor a 300-digit number in the same amount of time that a normal computer could multiply the two numbers together, making our current encryption methods obsolete.