Advanced quantum computing is still in the future, but what happens when Q-Day arrives? This is the day that powerful quantum computers can break public-key cryptography that protects our digital world.

Quantum computers don’t work like normal computers. They use what are called qubits and can solve problems dramatically faster than even “supercomputers.” That would mean they would threaten modern cryptography. Today’s digital ciphers use complex mathematical formulas that transform data into encrypted messages that can be stored or transmitted and only be read by using a digital key. 

People using bitcoin have been warned about a future quantum computer that could break the ECDSA algorithm that secures a private key. But those same computers could break into encrypted bank accounts and even hack into nuclear launch codes. The threat is much greater than what it might pose to someone with a bitcoin wallet.

Let’s put all these fears about the future in some perspective. The latest advances in quantum computer technology have chips with about 100 qubits, and it is hard to sustain that amount pf processing power without lots of errors. Experts estimate that you would need 1,000 to 4,000 logical qubits to breach current security. Also, we should note that for many years cryptographers have been developing post-quantum algorithms that can be used when it is needed many years from now.

The quantum frontier has the potential to reshape our future. We just need to be prepared to protect our digital world from criminals or hostile countries that would use this new technology against us.