Quantum Computing: Revolution on the Horizon?

The world of computing is on the cusp of a paradigm shift. Enter quantum computers, harnessing the bizarre laws of quantum mechanics to tackle problems beyond the reach of even our most powerful classical machines. While still in their nascent stages, these marvels of engineering hold the potential to revolutionize fields from medicine and materials science to finance and artificial intelligence.

So, what exactly is a quantum computer?

Unlike your trusty laptop, which relies on bits that can be either 0 or 1, quantum computers leverage the mind-bending properties of qubits. These qubits can exist in a state of superposition, being both 0 and 1 simultaneously. This, coupled with the phenomenon of entanglement (where qubits become linked, regardless of distance), allows quantum computers to explore a vast multitude of possibilities at once. Imagine sifting through a labyrinth of possibilities, not one path at a time, but all of them concurrently that's the power of superposition and entanglement.

Current Developments:

The field of quantum computing is rapidly evolving, with constant breakthroughs pushing the boundaries of what's possible. Here are some exciting developments to keep an eye on:

Googles Sycamore:

In 2019, Googles Sycamore quantum computer achieved "quantum supremacy," performing a calculation in minutes that would take a classical computer years. This marked a significant milestone in the fields progress.Error Correction:

One of the biggest challenges in quantum computing is maintaining the delicate state of qubits. Researchers are developing sophisticated error correction techniques to ensure the accuracy of computations.

Material Advancements:

Building qubits requires manipulating matter at the atomic level. New materials like topological superconductors are being explored for their potential to host stable and scalable qubits.

Quantum Computings Potential:

The potential applications of quantum computing are vast and transformative. Here are just a few examples:

Drug Discovery:

Simulating complex molecules could lead to the design of new drugs and materials with unprecedented properties.

Financial Modeling:

Quantum algorithms could unlock new insights into financial markets, leading to more efficient and stable systems.

Artificial Intelligence: Quantum computing could boost the power of AI, enabling machines to tackle even more complex problems like natural language processing and image recognition.Cryptography: While posing a threat to current encryption methods, quantum computing can also pave the way for unbreakable forms of cryptography.

Beyond the Hype:

It's important to remember that quantum computing is still in its early stages. Building large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computers remains a significant challenge. Moreover, not all problems will benefit from quantum speed-up. Identifying tasks where quantum computers offer a clear advantage will be crucial for their successful integration into various industries.

Extra Points to Ponder:

The Quantum Workforce: As quantum computing matures, new jobs and skillsets will emerge. Preparing the workforce for this quantum revolution is essential.Ethical Considerations:The immense power of quantum computing raises ethical concerns, such as the potential misuse of its capabilities in fields like cryptography and artificial intelligence. Open discussions and regulations are necessary to ensure responsible development and deployment.International Collaboration: Quantum computing is a global endeavor. Fostering international collaboration will be key to accelerating progress and ensuring equitable access to this transformative technology.

The journey into the quantum realm is just beginning. While challenges lie ahead, the potential rewards are too profound to ignore. Quantum computing has the power to reshape our world, from the way we design materials to how we understand intelligence itself. It's a revolution waiting to happen, and we're all front-row witnesses to its unfolding story.

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Quantum Computing: Revolution on the Horizon? | by Shan | Jan, 2024 - Medium

LEESBURG, Va., Jan. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Quantum Computing Inc. ("QCi", "we", "our" or the "Company") (Nasdaq: QUBT), an innovative quantum optics andnanophotonics technology company,today proudly announces that two of its engineers have been honored with the esteemed 44th Edison Patent Award for their pathbreaking contributions to quantum-secured privacy-preserving computations. This recognition underscores their exceptional work in addressing cybersecurity threats and developing innovative solutions, including a revolutionary method of quantum authenticationand private-data computing that can process and verify information withoutsharingthat information.

The Edison Patent Award, a symbol of innovation and excellence, is a testament to the commitment, expertise, and innovation demonstrated by Dr. Yuping Huang, OCi's Chief Quantum Officer and Dr. Lac Thi Thanh Nguyen, the Quantum Technology Lead for QCi's Cybersecurity platform. Their critical work has significantly advanced Quantum Computing Inc's mission to harness the power of quantum technologies for real-world applications.

The patent underlying the award represents a milestone in the field of quantum information networks, a critical domain in the ongoing battle against cybersecurity threats facing industry, government, and individuals. The patent, which was granted approval in the United States and over 40 other countries during 2023, addresses a method for quantum authentication and zero-knowledge proof for network security that uses fundamental quantum physics to protect passwords, private information, and online assets. The patented technology describes a method of generating pairs of so-called "entangled" photons that can share certain properties, measurement results and security checks with each other sharing joint communications without ever disclosing in any way that private data in the process, either with each other or with external parties or computing processes. Distinct to any other protocol, the private information is coded on the measurement bases and never shared with any party, either directly or via encryption. Thus, it provides the ultimate protection and unconditional security.

In contrast to quantum key distribution which only protects encryption, this breakthrough patent fills a critical security breach vulnerability by offering a way to effectively secure identity authentication, data mining, and digital assetsin an untrusted environment. Designed to be compatible with existing fiber-based communication infrastructure and satellite-based networks, the patent is a broad-use award based on a fundamental methodology for secure networking among multiple parties, uniquely combining quantum authentication and encryption in a single step and thereby safeguarding an entire network at all points of slippage.

The patent was exclusively licensed to QCi with perpetual terms. For rapid commercialization, QCi has recently built a two-node quantum authentication system, leveraging the engineering skills that Huang and Nguyen acquired when they and team built a pilot three-node quantum network system over a university campus in 2018.

"Quantum Computing Inc. salutes our esteemed engineers. In an era where digital security is paramount, Drs. Huang and Nguyen have played a pivotal role in developing a method of quantum authentication that promises to revolutionize data protection and privacy. Until now, there was no end-to-end quantum solution to defend the security of our digital assets against AI or quantum computer attacks in the coming future. The integration of this comprehensive quantum protocol with quantum key distribution holds the promise of establishing a robust quantum-secured communication system that safeguards the internet for everyone," commented Robert Liscouski, CEO of Quantum Computing Inc. "The company is proud to be at the forefront of quantum technology advancements, providing solutions that address the evolving challenges of cybersecurity, and we remain committed to pushing the boundaries of quantum technology and providing innovative solutions to complex global challenges."

For additional information on the Company's suite of solutions, please visit our websiteor contact our team directly.

About Quantum Computing Inc. (QCi)

Quantum Computing Inc. (QCi) (Nasdaq: QUBT) is an innovative, quantum optics and nanophotonics technology company on a mission to accelerate the value of quantum computing for real-world business solutions, delivering the future of quantum computing, today. The company provides accessible and affordable solutions with real-world industrial applications, using nanophotonic-based quantum entropy that can be used anywhere and with little to no training, operates at normal room temperatures, low power and is not burdened with unique environmental requirements. QCi is competitively advantaged delivering its quantum solutions at greater speed, accuracy, and security at less cost. QCi's core nanophotonic-based technology is applicable to both quantum computing as well as quantum intelligence, cybersecurity, sensing and imaging solutions, providing QCi with a unique position in the marketplace. QCi's core entropy computing capability, the Dirac series, delivers solutions for both binary and integer-based optimization problems using over 11,000 qubits for binary problems and over 1000 (n=64) qubits for integer-based problems, each of which are the highest number of variables and problem size available in quantum computing today.Using the Company's core quantum methodologies, QCi has developed specific quantum applications for AI, cybersecurity and remote sensing, including its Reservoir Photonic Computer series (intelligence), reprogrammable and non-repeatable Quantum Random Number Generator (cybersecurity) and LiDAR and Vibrometer (sensing) products. For more information about QCi, visitwww.quantumcomputinginc.com.

The Edison Patent Awards

For more than 40 years, the Research & Development Council of New Jerseyhas recognized and highlighted the broad array of research conducted in the state and celebrated its exceptional inventors in an annual award ceremony named for Thomas Alva Edison, New Jersey's most famous inventor. Winners are selected by a team of Research & Development Council researchers who evaluate nominated patents based on the significance of the problem addressed, its utility/socioeconomic value, novelty and commercial impact.The Research & Development Council is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization whose membership includes representatives from academia, government, and industry, including several Fortune 500 companies. More information can be found at the Research & Development Council's website:www.rdnj.org.

Important Cautions Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined within Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. By their nature, forward-looking statements and forecasts involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the near future. Those statements include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of QCi and members of its management as well as the assumptions on which such statements are based. Prospective investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements.

QCi undertakes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect changed conditions. Statements in this press release that are not descriptions of historical facts are forward-looking statements relating to future events, and as such all forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements may contain certain forward-looking statements pertaining to future anticipated or projected plans, performance and developments, as well as other statements relating to future operations and results. Words such as "may," "will," "expect," "believe," "anticipate," "estimate," "intends," "goal," "objective," "seek," "attempt," "aim to," or variations of these or similar words, identify forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those described in Item 1A in QCi's Annual Report on Form 10-K and other factors as may periodically be described in QCi's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

SOURCE Quantum Computing Inc.

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Quantum Computing Inc. Congratulates Achievement as its Engineers Receive Prestigious Edison Patent Award for ... - PR Newswire

The advent of quantum computers carries a potent threat to data encryption, potentially leading to catastrophic impacts on mission-critical infrastructure. With power utilities, hospitals, banks, and transit systems becoming increasingly digitalized, the menace of quantum hacking looms large. The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has issued an alert, underscoring the urgency to prepare for quantum threats. It is vital for organizations to assess their current security posture, develop a quantum roadmap, and implement quantum-safe solutions to defend against these threats.

Quantum computers differ significantly from conventional computers. They possess exponential speed and power, enabling them to break traditional encryption methods in a fraction of the time it would take a regular computer. This immense potential makes quantum computers a significant threat to critical infrastructure, especially for smaller companies and municipal infrastructure operations that might lack the resources to counter such advanced threats.

Preparing for the day when quantum computers can compromise traditional encryption methods, often referred to as Q-Day, is crucial. Organizations must prioritize the protection of high-impact assets. Developing a quantum roadmap and assessing the current security posture are essential steps in preparing for this threat. Utilizing encryption methods and key distribution techniques that ensure data integrity can provide protection against quantum attacks.

The World Economic Forum (WEF) has raised concerns about the potential impact of quantum computing on critical infrastructure. It could pose radical global risks with the ability to break public key encryption, potentially leading to the paralysis of national or global critical infrastructure. The report also warns about the acceleration of risks presented by other emerging technologies and the potential for cyberattacks. Criminal actors are already launching attacks on encrypted data in anticipation of cryptographically relevant quantum computers being available.

Quantum computing is also posing significant challenges to corporate security and privacy compliance. Its potential to revolutionize various industries and threaten traditional encryption methods is a cause for concern. Post-quantum cryptography is seen as a potential solution to protect against quantum computing threats. Regulatory bodies in the EU and Canada are assessing the potential impacts of quantum computing on various sectors, underlining the need for quantum-resistant algorithms to safeguard data against the threat of quantum computers.

Quantum computing presents both opportunities and challenges for the modern enterprise. It is expected to help solve complex problems but also poses a risk to traditional cryptographic systems. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has selected four quantum-resistant algorithms for standardization, three of which were contributed by IBM researchers and partners. Organizations are advised to create a quantum readiness roadmap for transitioning to these standards. Becoming quantum-safe involves three critical steps: discovering, observing, and transforming the cryptography infrastructure.

Large Language Models (LLM) are redefining cybersecurity operations. The cybersecurity workforce is expected to grow, reaching its highest number ever with 5.5 million people in cybersecurity jobs. However, cybersecurity teams should be aware of the hidden risks associated with them. The year 2023 had unexpected twists in cybersecurity, driving organizations to plan their security strategies for 2024 and beyond. As quantum computing continues to evolve, its clear that the cybersecurity landscape must adapt to meet the challenges of this new era.

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Quantum Computing: An Emerging Threat to Cybersecurity - Medriva

quantum computing becomes the need for next-generation

The public has quickly come to understand over the past four or five years that the exquisite and detailed golden chandeliers, which resemble upside-down, skeletal, multi-tiered metal wedding cakes, are popular and approximate representations of quantum computers. These chandeliers are frequently seen in TV shows and films, frequently in the settings of mad scientist labs or megalomaniacal villain lairs.

But in a real quantum computer, the main component is a cooler called a dilution refrigerator, which combines helium-3 and helium-4 to keep the processors temperature at 0.015 degrees Kelvin, which is quite cold that is, -273.135C or -459.643F. The quantum processor itself is located at the bottom of the chandelier.

Because quantum computers store information in quantum bits or qubits, very low temperatures are required. They comprise a particle, such as an electron, that can exist in two states. When the particle is in superposition, quantum computers, and quantum algorithms can exploit the combined potential energy of the two states.

However, qubits are extremely brittle and cannot be controlled or handled at normal temperatures. Qubits are extremely sensitive and easily disturbed even at very low temperatures. Examples of noise that can disturb them include temperature fluctuations, variations in the earths magnetic field, electromagnetic interference from devices like mobile phones and Wi-Fi terminals, microscopic flaws in quantum gates, and other vibrations or acoustic interferences like the sound of a subway train rumbling or taxis rattling. The quantum state will decohere in response to any of these (and other) circumstances, which will either utterly randomize the data and make it meaningless or wipe it entirely.

Even a small amount of noise can cause decoherence and the qubits to lose their remarkable properties of superposition and entanglement. This long-term problem of noise in a quantum computing environment is making progress toward developing large-scale, fault-tolerant, robust quantum machines more difficult.

Until a quantum system is measured, superposition refers to its capacity to exist in several states simultaneously: It permits several states or locations for quantum things to exist concurrently. This implies that a single thing can exist in two states simultaneously. The essential method of storing data in quantum computers is for particles to be in superposition.

When two or more quantum particles are linked together, even if they are separated by vast, galaxy-spanning distances, any change in one will cause a simultaneous change in the other. This phenomenon is known as quantum entanglement. Quantum computers can do several computations at once because of entanglement, which greatly boosts their processing capacity and accelerates them well beyond the capabilities of even the largest, most sophisticated, and most potent conventional supercomputers.

Thus, the pursuit of a solution or a suite of solutions to reduce noise is proceeding at a rapid speed. Several avenues are being explored, such as physically isolating qubits and creating ever-more-accurate control methods. It has become apparent that, like several other aspects of life, creating fault-tolerant, noise-immune quantum computers by human effort would require some walking before it can be considered a run. Currently, we are in the era of noisy, intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) devices and it appears highly improbable that we will be able totally to tackle the noise problem using the devices and methods of today. It appears that everyone agrees that NISQ devices performance will increase gradually, although significant technical breakthroughs will be required before quantum

Quantum error suppression, error mitigation, and error rectification are some of the methods.

Although there are clear challenges in the process of creating and manufacturing quantum computers, it is thought that these obstacles can and will be solved. Thats why companies including the likes of Google, IBM, Intel, and Microsoft, having already spent billions of dollars on the technology, are ramping up their R&D investments in the sector, even as specialist startups developing solutions based on a combination of hardware and software for the prevention or mitigation of quantum errors are beginning to emerge.

Everybody involved is aiming to bring about the quantum utility era, in which solving issues needing a lot of processing power would naturally, practically, and economically make use of quantum devices rather than conventional computers. Various methods are being used as part of it. Because quantum computing will enable services to be accessible from anywhere in the globe, several businesses are attempting to integrate it into the cloud. It has indeed already occurred on an experimental scale. On May 4, 2016, about eight years ago, the first five-qubit cloud-access quantum computer in history went online. Within the first week of its launch, 7,000 research scientists signed up for access to the facilities, demonstrating its immediate popularity.

Three primary kinds of solutions have evolved as more has been discovered about the peculiar properties of quantum computing and the numerous challenges associated with managing a computational process based on quantum waves. The first is error suppression, which continuously analyzes whats happening in the quantum circuitry and qubits using the well-known characteristics of classical software and machine-learning algorithms. It then reconfigures the process design to make sure that the information stored in the qubits is better protected.

Error mitigation, the second method, is grounded in the fact that not all noise-induced errors lead to decoherence and, thus, program failure in quantum computing. An analog of echo-cancellation in telecom networks, or a kind of anti-noise filter to limit the propagation of errors, both during the computational process itself and in the final output, may be able to be loaded into a quantum system. However, such a computation will stray into paths that lead nowhere. Such a solution is incomplete since it just estimates noise rather than recognizing every detail of an occurrence, and it is more expensive because it requires running an algorithm several times for it to function.

Utilizing quantum error correction (QEC) is the third option. To minimize and rectify noise, information is encoded into several qubits in this instance. It functions, but to safeguard and manage a single logical qubit, the system has to transport a supercargo of many physical qubits. The ratio of these is often stated as one logical qubit for every 1,000 physical qubits (a very large and expensive overhead), however, some developers have lately said that under certain conditions, the ratios can be as low as 13:1 or even as low as 100:1. That could or might not be practical or profitable, but regardless of the ratio, QEC is costly and exceedingly challenging to operate.

More potent algorithms are also being developed in the meantime; the Quantum Approximate Optimisation Algorithm (QAOA) has shown to be more noise-resistant and applicable in todays constrained and imperfect quantum devices.

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It will take some time before quantum computing becomes useful. - Medium

The Quantum Threat to Digital Security

Quantum computing, once a theoretical concept, is rapidly becoming a reality. With this progression comes a significant threat to our digital security infrastructure. Traditional encryption methods, which have been the bedrock of cybersecurity for decades, are vulnerable to quantum attacks. As quantum computers gain in power and sophistication, they pose a risk to the current encryption methods, making the need for quantum-proof codes and post-quantum cryptography inevitable.

The Y2Q clock, or years to quantum, is a metaphorical countdown to a time when quantum computers will have the ability to crack modern cryptography. This would render current public-key cryptography useless, potentially exposing sensitive information and disrupting digital security globally. The development of quantum-proof codes and post-quantum cryptography is a race against time, a race to secure our digital future before the Y2Q clock runs out.

To address this imminent threat, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) initiated a public contest for post-quantum or quantum-resistant cryptography. The goal was to accelerate the development of new encryption techniques that could withstand quantum attacks. This urgency is further underscored by the passage of the Quantum Computer Cybersecurity Preparedness Act, which mandates government agencies to create a plan for transitioning to these new algorithms.

After a rigorous analysis, NIST selected CRYSTALS-Kyber as a winner, along with three other winners in the category of digital signatures. These algorithms are designed to be resistant to quantum attacks, providing a blueprint for the future of quantum-proof cryptography. However, these algorithms are based on lattice mathematics, a complex field that has its own potential vulnerabilities. Thus, the development of quantum-proof cryptography remains an ongoing challenge.

The transition to post-quantum cryptography is not a simple switch; it will take many years and require a significant overhaul of our current digital security infrastructure. Until then, messages sent with old cryptography may be readable with a future quantum computer. Thus, the need for quantum-proof codes is not just about preparing for the future; its about securing the digital communications we exchange today.

As we stand on the brink of the quantum revolution, it is clear that the future of cybersecurity lies in our ability to develop and implement quantum-proof codes. While the challenge is significant, so too are the opportunities. By embracing this new frontier, we can ensure the security of our digital world for decades to come.

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The Quantum Threat to Digital Security | Importance of Quantum-Proof Codes - Medriva