Assessing the Benefits and Risks of Quantum Computers

Published

July 17, 2024

Author(s)

Travis Scholten, Carl Williams, Dustin Moody, Michele Mosca, William Hurley, William J. Zeng, Matthias Troyer, Jay Gambetta

Abstract

Quantum computing is an emerging technology with potentially far-reaching implications for national prosperity and security. Understanding the timeframes over which economic benefits and national security risks may manifest themselves is vital for ensuring prudent development of, and investment in, this technology. To inform security experts and policy decision makers on this matter, we review what is currently known on the potential uses and risks of quantum computers. We discuss how near-term heuristic algorithms and error mitigation, two trends in the research literature, may enable useful and practical quantum computing in the near future. Against that context, we examine the research on quantum computing for cryptographic applications, concluding that fault-tolerant algorithms pose the primary threat. This suggests quantum computers may provide economic benefits before they threaten cryptography. However, given the complex challenge of upgrading the cryptographic infrastructure to resist this threat, we discuss how organizations can begin getting quantum safe. We hope this work proves informative and useful for those tasked with making decisions about the use, and future of, quantum computing and quantum-safe technologies.

Citation

IEEE Security & Privacy

Pub Type

Journals

Keywords

quantum computers, cryptography, shor's algorithm, quantum safe, post-quantum

Citation

Scholten, T. , Williams, C. , Moody, D. , Mosca, M. , Hurley, W. , Zeng, W. , Troyer, M. and Gambetta, J. (2024), Assessing the Benefits and Risks of Quantum Computers, IEEE Security & Privacy (Accessed September 27, 2024)