Though early in its development, quantum computing is now available on real hardware via the cloud through IBM Q. This radically new kind of computing holds open the possibility of solving some problems that are now and perhaps always will be intractable for “classical” computers.
At some time in the future – and no one really knows whether this is ten or fifteen years out – quantum computers may be powerful enough to put your data at risk by compromising your cryptography. Data protected using today’s encryption methods may become susceptible to decryption by the unprecedented processing power of the emerging quantum computer. The urgency to act now is based on the Data Risk Timeline. Data stored today may need to remain confidential or valid for periods up to thirty years.
Nev Zunic is an IBM Distinguished Engineer, Master Inventor, and inventor of data-centric security collaborating across IBM BUs to define and deliver data protection solutions to clients worldwide. Chuck DeLouis is the offering manager for Data Security Services working the IBM Q team and IBM Research to develop data-centric consulting offerings to secure data wherever it resides.