As quantum computing advances, it poses significant threats to current cybersecurity systems, which rely on classical encryption methods. Researchers at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) are proactively working on developing post-quantum cryptography (PQC) to protect against these future quantum threats. Quantum computers have the potential to break conventional encryption in the next decade, making the transition to quantum-resistant protocols critically important.
The NCSA team, led by Phuong Cao, has been investigating how to implement PQC, measure its adoption, and deal with the challenges of algorithmic complexity and infrastructure readiness. Current progress shows limited implementation, with only OpenSSH and Google Chrome adopting PQC at initial stages. The NCSA team has been awarded a grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) to further explore the migration of scientific computing infrastructures to quantum-resistant technologies. This will serve as a model for ensuring the security of sensitive data and scientific research.
Transitioning to PQC will be a long-term process, and understanding its scope within the scientific community is crucial. The NCSA is using global infrastructures like the FABRIC testbed to measure and track the adoption of PQC. Their work will also help anticipate potential new attack vectors enabled by quantum technologies.
The NCSA team aims to make these findings publicly available, providing insights into how supercomputing infrastructures and other sectors can transition to quantum-resistant cryptography. By collaborating with experts from the Illinois Quantum Information Science and Technology Center, they aim to bridge the gap between theoretical quantum science and practical cybersecurity applications. This work aligns with national efforts like those by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), which has finalized quantum-resistant encryption algorithms after years of research.
This project is a significant step toward ensuring the resilience of future computing infrastructures against quantum computing threats.