Harvest Now, Decrypt Later (HNDL) attacks are already happening whereby adversaries with strong quantum computing development programs are targeting encrypted data to steal now and decrypt later, when quantum computing arrives. [iii]Pharmaceutical companies could use quantum computing to create complex molecular models to identify new chemicals to be used in drugs. The likelihood that quantum computing will become viable in the near future adds urgency to understanding how quantum computing poses a threat to digital information today. Specifically, the Act will require the Secretary of Energy to facilitate advances in quantum computing by supporting: (a) the Computational Science Graduate Fellowship, designed to augment the quantum computing workforce; (b) the Quantum User Expansion for Science and Technology Program, to facilitate access to “quantum computing hardware and quantum computing clouds for research purposes”; and (c) the Advanced Computing Program, which requires the Secretary to “maintain foundational research programs in mathematical, computational, and computer sciences focused on new and emerging computing needs within the mission of the Department,” including quantum computing, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. As we move toward viable quantum computers, national governments may begin to create specific cybersecurity standards related to quantum computing to which certain sectors must adhere.

Source: Forbes August 05, 2022 20:02 UTC