5G Americas Recommends Deep Focus on Quantum
The wireless industry must move quickly to address post-quantum computing security, 5G Americas stressed in a paper posted Thursday. “A cryptographically relevant quantum computer (CRQC) has the potential to break traditional public key cryptography, a cornerstone of internet and mobile network security,” it said. Industry should start planning now for migration to a post-quantum world, the paper said: “As a first step, start by educating key executives and stakeholders on the urgency and risks. Develop a migration plan, conducting a cryptographic inventory, including security protocols and versions, and a quantum risk assessment to migrate by priority.”
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The risks that quantum computing poses are getting more attention. At CES in January, Bill Briggs, chief technology officer at Deloitte Consulting, urged industry to start a "Q2K" push similar to the focus on Y2K 25 years ago (see 2501080032).
“At its heart, quantum computing introduces an ingenious security system called quantum key distribution (QKD),” blogged 5G Americas President Viet Nguyen. “Think of it as a lock that changes the moment anyone tries to peek at it,” he said: “Unlike today’s encryption methods, which could potentially be cracked by powerful enough computers, QKD creates security backed by the fundamental laws of physics themselves.”