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The full power of next-generation quantum computing could soon be harnessed by millions of individuals and companies, thanks to a breakthrough by scientists at Oxford University Physics guaranteeing security and privacy. This advance promises to unlock the transformative potential of cloud-based quantum computing and is detailed in a new study published in the influential U.S. scientific journal Physical Review Letters.

Never in history have the issues surrounding privacy of data and code been more urgently debated than in the present era of cloud computing and artificial intelligence. As quantum computers become more capable, people will seek to use them with complete security and privacy over networks, and our new results mark a step change in capability in this respect.

Quantum computing is developing rapidly, paving the way for new applications which could transform services in many areas like healthcare and financial services. It works in a fundamentally different way to conventional computing and is potentially far more powerful. However, it currently requires controlled conditions to remain stable and there are concerns around data authenticity and the effectiveness of current security and encryption systems.

Several leading providers of cloud-based services, like Google, Amazon, and IBM, already separately offer some elements of quantum computing. Safeguarding the privacy and security of customer data is a vital precursor to scaling up and expending its use, and for the development of new applications as the technology advances. The new study by researchers at Oxford University Physics addresses these challenges.

We have shown for the first time that quantum computing in the cloud can be accessed in a scalable, practical way which will also give people complete security and privacy of data, plus the ability to verify its authenticity, said Professor David Lucas, who co-heads the Oxford University Physics research team and is lead scientist at the UK Quantum Computing and Simulation Hub, led from Oxford University Physics.

In the new study, the researchers use an approach dubbed blind quantum computing, which connects two totally separate quantum computing entities potentially an individual at home or in an office accessing a cloud server in a completely secure way. Importantly, their new methods could be scaled up to large quantum computations.

Using blind quantum computing, clients can access remote quantum computers to process confidential data with secret algorithms and even verify the results are correct, without revealing any useful information. Realising this concept is a big step forward in both quantum computing and keeping our information safe online said study lead Dr Peter Drmota, of Oxford University Physics.

The results could ultimately lead to commercial development of devices to plug into laptops, to safeguard data when people are using quantum cloud computing services.

Researchers exploring quantum computing and technologies at Oxford University Physics have access to the state-of-the-art Beecroft laboratory facility, specially constructed to create stable and secure conditions including eliminating vibration.

Funding for the research came from the UK Quantum Computing and Simulation (QCS) Hub, with scientists from the UK National Quantum Computing Centre, the Paris-Sorbonne University, the University of Edinburgh, and the University of Maryland, collaborating on the work.

The study Verifiable blind quantum computing with trapped ions and single photons has been published in Physical Review Letters.

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Breakthrough promises secure quantum computing at home - University of Oxford

By converting data into light particles and beaming them around the world using satellites, we could prevent encrypted messages from being intercepted by a superpowerful quantum computer, scientists claim.

Currently, messaging technology relies on mathematical, or cryptographic, methods of protection, including end-to-end encryption. This technology is used in WhatsApp as well as by corporations, the government and the military to protect sensitive data from being intercepted.

Encryption works by scrambling data or text into what appears to be nonsense, using an algorithm and a key that only the sender and recipient can use to unlock the data. These algorithms can, in theory, be cracked. But they are designed to be so complex that even the fastest supercomputers would take millions of years to translate the data into something readable.

Related: World's 1st fault-tolerant quantum computer launching this year ahead of a 10,000-qubit machine in 2026

Quantum computers change the equation. Although the field is young, scientists predict that such machines will be powerful enough to easily break encryption algorithms someday. This is because they can process exponentially greater calculations in parallel (depending on how many qubits they use), whereas classical computers can process calculations only in sequence.

Fearing that quantum computers will render encryption obsolete someday, scientists are proposing new technologies to protect sensitive communications. One field, known as "quantum cryptography," involves building systems that can protect data from encryption-beating quantum computers.

Unlike classical cryptography, which relies on algorithms to scramble data and keep it safe, quantum cryptography would be secure thanks to the weird quirks of quantum mechanics, according to IBM.

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For example, in a paper published Jan. 21 in the journal Advanced Quantum Technologies, scientists describe a mission called "Quick3," which uses photons particles of light to transmit data through a massive satellite network.

"Security will be based on the information being encoded into individual light particles and then transmitted," Tobias Vogl, professor of quantum communication systems engineering at TUM and co-author of the paper, said in a statement. "The laws of physics do not permit this information to be extracted or copied."

That's because the very act of measuring a quantum system changes its state.

"When the information is intercepted, the light particles change their characteristics," he added. "Because we can measure these state changes, any attempt to intercept the transmitted data will be recognized immediately, regardless of future advances in technology."

The challenge with traditional Earth-based quantum cryptography, however, lies in transmitting data over long distances, with a maximum range of just a few hundred miles, the TUM scientists said in the statement. This is because light tends to scatter as it travels, and there's no easy way to copy or amplify these light signals through fiber optic cables.

Scientists have also experimented with storing encryption keys in entangled particles meaning the data is intrinsically shared between two particles over space and time no matter how far apart. A project in 2020, for example, demonstrated "quantum key distribution" (QKD) between two ground stations 700 miles apart (1,120 km).

When it comes to transmitting photons, however, at altitudes higher than 6 miles (10 kilometers), the atmosphere is so thin that light is not scattered or absorbed, so signals can be extended over longer distances.

The Quick3 system would involve the entire system for transmitting data in this way, including the components needed to build the satellites. The team has already tested each component on Earth. The next step will be to test the system in space, with a satellite launch scheduled for 2025.

They will probably need hundreds, or perhaps even thousands, of satellites for a fully working quantum communications system, the team said.

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Future quantum computers will be no match for 'space encryption' that uses light to beam data around with the 1st ... - Space.com

Impacts of quantum computing threats of tomorrow will change how we use encryption today

Our business and personal lives depend on many things we do not often think about including encryption. Normally this area evolves under its own steam without most business decision-makers having to pay attention, but over the next few years that has to change or else you might inadvertently cede your secrets to adversaries both known and unknown.

A lot has been made of how quantum computing will change the world, but most of these pronouncements are long on hyperbole and short on actual details.

Quantum computing does have a great deal of promise and will eventually change the world in areas such as material science. The more immediate impact of a medium-scale quantum computer is the threat it and those that come after it will pose to how we all use encryption today. To make sense of this, and therefore understand how to mitigate the risk now, we have to back up and define some things.

Encryption today

As of this writing, there are two general types of encryption in use today: symmetric and asymmetric encryption. Symmetric encryption is when the sender and receiver both have the key that is used to encrypt and decrypt the protected data. This is used almost everywhere, but it is often enabled by the use of asymmetric encryption to exchange that key, given many parties need secure communications without meeting. The latter type is where quantum computers expose a major weakness.

Quantum computing

To make sense of this next part, your understanding of quantum computing does not have to go too deep, but you have to accept some strange truths in exchange. The best way to get through this is to remember the last superhero movie you saw and recall that to enjoy the film you had to suspend disbelief and not question how that person is flying or shooting lasers from body parts in ways that defy logic.

Quantum computing leverages the strange world of quantum mechanics, which fails to make sense when held to our day-to-day experiences. The bit to grasp is that a quantum calculation can evaluate all possible values at once rather than having to walk through each possible value one at a time the way a classical computer would have to approach a problem.

A brilliant mathematician at MIT named Peter Shor created an algorithm that could use this quantum weirdness to enable a sufficiently powerful quantum computer to break the hard math problem that lies at the heart of all mainstream asymmetric encryption in use today. We are all awaiting the day (or year) when a sufficient quantum computer breaks our encryption and guts our current security.

Post quantum encryption

Rather than just waiting for the end, the U.S. government has been busy evaluating replacement encryption mechanisms that can replace the soon-to-be vulnerable asymmetric mechanisms in use today. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is just about to crown Crystals Kyber and Crystals Dilithium (very geeky names indeed) as the heirs.

Swapping out your encryption is no easy task and will take time. The first step is to dig in and understand where you are using encryption in the first place, and then differentiating where the asymmetric encryption is employed. While not easy, this is likely the easiest part. Once you have completed this inventory, you have to make some complicated changes to code, ensure your vendors make these changes, or change solutions to a vendor who has, or soon will, make these changes.

Many pundits are assuring all who will listen that we have a long time before this threat becomes real, but that is, at best, wishful thinking and, at worst, a disaster in the making. The truth is we do not know. It could be 30 years, but many concede that it could be just a few years. It is not today or tomorrow, but it is so close that it is widely accepted that some threat actors are already storing encrypted data in anticipation of being able to use a future quantum computer to decrypt it. They are betting that this threat will come home to roost sooner rather than later. How will you bet?

Patrick Hynds is the CEO of DTS, a cybersecurity solutions provider in Derry.

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Why quantum computing is a threat to encryption, and what to do about it - New Hampshire Business Review

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Quantum computing will bring about the next computing revolution that will overshadow the prescient artificial intelligence (AI) craze. There are certain kinds of problems that are effectively impossible or inefficient for conventional, classical computers to solve, but not for quantum computers. This has led many investors to seek out the best quantum computing stocks to buy.

Novel quantum computers can be a gamechanger in terms ofcurrent cryptographymethods and could also allow for the introduction of completely private communication. Complex problems in optimization, machine learning and simulation will also become solvable with quantum computing.

Investors who are already looking for the next market sensation are considering a few names in the nascent quantum computing space. Wall Street has caught wind of some of the quantum computing names that could make successful plays in the long term. Below are three suchquantum computing stocks.

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International Business Machines(NYSE:IBM), one of the most established companies in the tech industry, has been working on quantum computers since the early 2000s. For example, in 2001, IBM researchers had already been performingquantum computing techniques to solve cryptography problems. IBMs quantum computer consists of superconducting qubits that operate at near-zero temperatures. The tech giant also offers a cloud-based quantum computing service calledIBM Quantum Experience, which allows customers and researchers to access its quantum hardware and software through the cloud rather than spending a lot of cash to buy a physical quantum computer.

In recent years, IBM has endured single-digit revenue growth, including in 2023, but the tech giant has continued to beat estimates in their recent Q42023 earnings report. Both revenue and earnings figures came above what Wall Street analysts had projected; IBM also found itself flush with more free cash flow than it had anticipated. More breakthroughs in quantum computing could spur revenue growth in the future. IBM expects to it wont have a practical quantum computer until the end of the decade, which makes IBM a compelling long-term hold.

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IonQ(NYSE:IONQ) happens to be the first pure-playamongpublicly tradedquantum computing stocks and it will be the only pure-play quantum computing player to make this list. The company is a leader in trapped-ion quantum computing, which uses electrically charged atoms to store and manipulate qubits.

To date, the company claims to have built the worldsmost powerful quantum computerwhich has achieved a quantum capacity 32 qubits.IonQplans to launchmodular quantum computers by the end of 2023. To make the computing power of its quantum computers more accessible, IonQ has made its quantum computing power accessible to customers and developers through large cloud platforms.

IonQ ended 2023 with another successful quarter. Fourth-quarterearnings resultssaw the quantum computing firm generate full-year revenue figures well above the high end of its guidance range. This was the same for bookings. IonQ also announced the production of its Enterprise Forte quantum computer in its Seattle manufacturing facility. Deliveries for these quantum systems are slated for the end of 2024.

IonQs shares are down almost 25% on a year-to-date basis, which could make a good entry point for new investors or investors willing to increase their investment. Quantum computing, similar to generative AI, has the potential to be the next big thing in technology, and IonQ is at the forefront of the space. You can see why this made our list of the best quantum computing stocks to buy.

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Flush with cash,Alphabet(NASDAQ:GOOG,GOOGL) has made a variety of investments in various computing technologies over the past two decades. The company also has been developing quantum computerssince 2006and achieved a milestone in 2019 when itdemonstrated quantum supremacy,or the ability of a quantum computer to perform a task that is impossible for a classical computer.

Googles quantum computer, called Sycamore, used 54 qubits to perform a calculation in 200 seconds that would take a supercomputer much longer to complete. Althoughsome researchers have claimedto be able to do what Googles Sycamore had done by using a normal supercomputer, Google is continuously working on improving its quantum hardware, software and algorithms. And the results are promising. The new version of Sycamore apparently can make calculations that would take supercomputers47 years to complete.

In order to bring about more use-cases for quantum computing, Google has launched a 3-year competition with a $5 million prize for researchers who can come up with new quantum algorithms that can solve existing problems humanity faces. This kind of investment could definitely help steer the new sector in the right direction.

In its Q42023 earnings report, cloud continued to be thecompanys growth engine, growing 26% on a year over year (YOY). In the long term, quantum computing could be an even bigger growth engine for Google. If you are looking for the best quantum computing stocks to buy, start here.

On the date of publication, Tyrik Torres did not have (either directly or indirectly) any positions in the securities mentioned in this article. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer, subject to the InvestorPlace.comPublishing Guidelines.

Tyrik Torres has been studying and participating in financial markets since he was in college, and he has particular passion for helping people understand complex systems. His areas of expertise are semiconductor and enterprise software equities. He has work experience in both investing (public and private markets) and investment banking.

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The 3 Best Quantum Computing Stocks to Buy in April 2024 - InvestorPlace

Updated April 10, 10:28 a.m.

Republican lawmakers introduced a new bill Wednesday to accelerate the Defense Departments use of quantum information science, from sensing and navigation to more ambitious goals of quantum computing for advanced artificial intelligence applications.

As drawn up by Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., and Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., the Defense Quantum Acceleration Act would direct the Defense Department to establish a new quantum advisor role and stand up a center of excellence to explore and identify[quantum information science] technologies that have demonstrated value in advancing the priorities and missions of the Department, according to the text of the bill, viewed exclusively by Defense One.

Quantum information science, which takes advantage of the unique properties of quantum mechanics, has many potential defense applications. Information thats encrypted on the quantum level cant be secretly intercepted because attempting to measure a quantum property changes it. Quantum sensors can relay information about location, making them a more secure means of navigation than GPS, which can be spoofed. Quantum computers, today in their infancy, could eventually process information exponentially more effectively than conventional computers. The National Academies of Sciences has said quantum computers are the only known model for computing that could offer exponential speedup over todays computers.

But China has outpaced the Defense Department in terms of investment in quantum technology, dedicating $15 billion over the next five yearsor $3 billion a yearas opposed to the $700 million yearly Defense Department investment.

The new bill doesnt push the Defense Department to match Chinas numbers.Private companies such as IBM, Google, and Lockheed Martin are already heavily spending on research and development fornext-generation quantum computing. But it does raise the profile of quantum technology within the Defense Department and, theoretically, would allow the Pentagon to start buying more quantum technologies faster, enabling quicker innovation from private companies.

Quantums impact on our national security will be considerable, and we must take immediate steps to ensure the United States is the first nation to reach quantum advantage. This bill will ensure the Department of Defense, led by the incredible work at [The U.S. Air Force Rome Laboratory in New York] is able to outpace our adversaries and rapidly develop and transition quantum technologies to our service members, Stefanik said in a statement.

The Defense Department already has a director of quantum science in the office of the undersecretary for research and engineering. Under the bill, the new established quantum advisor would have a much-expanded role, coordinating with combatant commands on where they might need or use quantum science, coordinating with allies like Australia to share knowledge and best practices, and specifically looking at the challenges the Defense Department faces to determine if quantum information science might help.

The bill would also direct the stand-up of a center to coordinate with businesses and academia and develop prototypes of more near-term quantum technologies for sensing and navigation, in addition to accelerating quantum computing research.

Chris Padilla, vice president of government and regulatory affairs at IBM, applauded the introduction of the act, which he said, helps ensure the Department of Defense embraces this revolutionary technology. For national defense and economic security reasons, the United States must maintain a leadership position in quantum computing, and this legislation supports that effort. IBM encourages Congress to pass it and the administration to begin deploying quantum-centric supercomputing.

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New bill would greatly expand Defense Department quantum efforts - Defense One