By: Madlen Wendland
The computer inside a lab does not
look revolutionary or special to a normal person. However, researchers say that
what is happening inside some computers could reshape the future of technology
and have a major impact on online security and the safety of a person’s data.
Quantum computing was once a
theory, but it is now slowly becoming a reality.
“Quantum computing uses systems
that behave according to the laws of quantum mechanics and not classical
physics in order to do computations that aren’t possible or much slower on a
classical computer,” Mark Edwards, professor of physics at Georgia Southern
University, said.
The difference between a classical
and a quantum computer is determined by the use of the numbers zero and one.
Traditional computers use bits, which are either a one or a zero.
“The numbers computers use can be
seen as a universal language,” Anish Goyal, an undergraduate quantum computing
research student at Georgia Southern University, said. “Everything inside the
computer has a number, so the computer can read the string of numbers and do
whatever you want them to do, like show you a picture or something.”
Compared to a classical computer, a
quantum computer uses qubits. Edwards said that the quantum computer does not
rely on just a one or a zero to process information, but can use both at the
same time.
The idea of being in two states at
once and using both numbers simultaneously is what gives quantum computers
their power.
Goyal compares the work of a
quantum computer to searching for a building. “A classical computer would have
to check each room one by one,” Goyal said. “A quantum computer can gain
information about multiple rooms at the same time.”
Ian Iucker, a senior at Georgia
Southern University majoring in Physics, said that the speed at which the
quantum computer solves problems is what makes the difference.
“Problems that would take normal
computers multiple years to solve could take quantum computers a day or even
minutes,” Iucker said.
Iucker said that this kind of power
is why quantum computing has gained more attention over the past few years. It
raises questions about the security of personal data and the impact quantum
computers will have on cybersecurity.
“Online security works because it
is easy to multiply a large number and create an encrypted code, but it is
extremely difficult to reverse this process,” Edwards said. “That is what keeps
sensitive data safe.”
However, Goyal said that, due to
faster quantum computers, this could change. “Everybody would be able to read
your mail or get your credit card details,” Goyal said.
Goyal said that this is something
people should be concerned about if technology does not adapt, but that
organizations are already developing “post-quantum” encryption designed to
resist quantum cyberattacks.
Still, the threat is not immediate.
Technical challenges, such as incorrect algorithms or high error rates, still
limit today’s quantum computers.
“There are still a lot of bridges
that have to be crossed,” said Iucker. “It’s still another few decades off
before people can actually start using quantum computers for practical
purposes.”
Despite the risks that quantum
computers could pose, the potential benefits are just as significant. Edwards
said that fields like medicine, chemistry, and materials science can benefit
most from quantum computers by solving complex problems that current computers
cannot handle.
“Technology is constantly
advancing, and I think that as quantum computers advance, it is important for
society to rethink what privacy means and how to keep information secure,” said
Edwards.