Quantum computers vs. classical computers
Source: Online newspaper article ‘’Quantum Leap to Democritus’’ from Kathimerini.
Quantum computers, in a nutshell, will be able to solve complex problems that current conventional computing systems, even supercomputers, cannot solve, such as those associated with environmental sustainability, climate change, or the development of novel medications.
As science and mathematics have roots in Ancient Greece, Quantum computers, the epitome of technology, are connected to the concepts introduced, either directly or indirectly, by Ancient Greeks.
Quantum computers are related to ideas of Democritus and Eratosthenes, a blend of Democritus concept of Atoms and one of the most important applications of quantum computers closely linked to cryptography, the factorisation of large numbers into a product of prime numbers.
The sieve of Eratosthenes is the primary method that is used for this factorisation.
From theory to practice
Governments and companies are spending millions in the Quantum computing race, but why? The response is hiding in the word ‘cryptography’. Cryptography, in a simple explanation, is the process of hiding or coding information so that only the person to whom the message was intended to be sent can read it (Fortinet.com). The art of cryptography has been used to code messages for thousands of years and continues to be used in bank cards, computer passwords, e-commerce, etc.
Current cryptographic techniques are essentially based on two mathematical problems: the factorisation of large numbers and the discrete logarithm computation. These two fundamental problems will no longer remain unsolvable if a large-scale quantum computer is built; thus, the security of currently deployed public key cryptography could collapse. In the bad scenario, a sufficiently powerful quantum computer will peril many forms of modern communication, from key exchange to encryption to digital authentication. But as was stated in the beginning, we should not demonise quantum computers. Their benefit to the community will have a great effect. The focus should be shifted to post-quantum cryptography.
And that is the rationale behind the PQ-REACT EU project conception.
The main objective of PQ-REACT project is to design, develop and validate a framework for a faster and smoother transition from classical to post-quantum cryptography for various contexts and usage domains. This framework will include PQC migration paths and cryptographic agility methods and will develop a portfolio of tools (including an actual quantum computer) for validation of post-quantum cryptographic systems that will allow users to switch to post-quantum cryptography, taking under consideration their individualities and various contexts.
With a highly experienced consortium consisting of 12 partners across the EU, PQ-REACT will work towards its objectives to supply the EU with impactful results.
If you are keen to learn more about the project, stay tuned with its social media to learn the publication of the second blogpost, which will reveal more about the PQ-REACT scope and technologies.
