Assessing the Benefits and Risks of Quantum Computers

Author(s)

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.

Keywords

Quantum information science, Quantum communications and Cybersecurity

Citation

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