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Traditional computers use binary bits, but quantum computers leverage qubits, enabling faster processing. Conventional semiconductors operate on a binary system, like Nvidia H100s, where each transistor represents a 1 or 0.This will become a central part of this IONQ stock outlook later on.

Quantum computing, however, operates on a different principle, utilizing quantum bits (qubits) that can exist in multiple states simultaneously. This allows quantum systems to perform exponentially more calculations than classical systems.

IonQs (NYSE:IONQ) recently achieved a significant milestone in quantum technology, hinting at its potential to revolutionize computing. Its trapped ion tech minimizes QPU size, enhancing power and reducing costs and errors.

As IonQ emerges as a top contender in the quantum computing stocks arena, it has marked a remarkable 117% surge in share price over the past year. Despite a modest 10% gain year-to-date, it presents a suitable entry point for investors.

IonQ, a quantum computing leader, unveiled the USs inaugural quantum computing manufacturing hub in Bothell, WA. The expanded facility accommodates research, development, and production.

The company inaugurated the first US-based factory producing replicable quantum computers for client data centers, enhancing technology innovation and manufacturing in the Pacific Northwest. CEO Peter Chapman highlighted IonQs commitment to commercializing quantum computing.

Sen. Maria Cantwell was also there to show her unending support for IonQ during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. She noted the companys hard work and dedication in innovating quantum computing. She emphasized quantum computings transformative potential in various fields. This is central to this IONQ stock outlook.

IonQ continues its streak of success, achieving milestones like #AQ35 ahead of schedule and expanding partnerships with Amazon Braket and QuantumBasel. It collaborates with global giants and secures projects with the US Air Force Research Lab.

In other news, IonQ renews its partnership with SKKU in South Korea, offering continued access to IonQs quantum systems. This fosters innovation and strengthens South Koreas position in quantum computing.

SKKU Professor Yonuk Chong expressed satisfaction with IonQs research outcomes and commitment to future collaboration. South Korea aims to lead in quantum computing, supported by IonQs tangible contributions. This announcement aligns with IonQs broader efforts in South Korea, including partnerships with Hyundai Motors and the government.

In Q3 2023, IonQ achieved significant year-over-year revenue growth of 122%, signaling strong performance and technological advancements. It also showed several bookings totaling to $26.3 million. This surpassed expectations and demonstrated how in demand IonQ is.

When 2023 closed, IONQ achieved its target to $100 million of cumulative bookings since 2021. The company also altered its revenue forecast to $22 million, showing its confidence in achieving such targets through contract milestones.

Moreover, it raised its 2023 booking guidance to $60-63 million, reflecting sustained demand. IONQ introduced Forte Enterprise and Tempo systems to target diverse market needs, emphasizing compactness and compatibility with existing infrastructure.

Milestones achieved, such as reaching AQ 29, underscore IONQs forefront position in trapped-ion quantum computing.

IonQs major clients comprise research labs and government bodies like the U.S. Air Force Research Lab and QuantumBasel in Switzerland. Collaborations with Seoul National University in South Korea indicate expansion into academia, and these tie ups suggest theres some powerful money and minds behind IonQ and its innovative goals.

While the roadmap to profitability may take years to play out, I do think IonQ remains intriguing as a speculative buy. I wouldnt recommend any investor put all their chips behind this stock. Its far too risky a bet, and should be lumped in with other high-potential growth stocks in the riskier end of a portfolios barbell strategy.

But for those seeking the next big thing beyond AI, quantum computing is a space to consider for long-term growth. Right now, IonQ looks like a company that could be a winner in this space, though time will tell. This concludes my IONQ stock outlook.

On the date of publication, Chris MacDonald 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.

Chris MacDonalds love for investing led him to pursue an MBA in Finance and take on a number of management roles in corporate finance and venture capital over the past 15 years. His experience as a financial analyst in the past, coupled with his fervor for finding undervalued growth opportunities, contribute to his conservative, long-term investing perspective.

Continued here:
IONQ Stock Outlook: Why This Quantum Computing Play Could Be a Long-Term Winner - InvestorPlace

Apple unveiled PQ3, the most significant cryptographic security upgrade in iMessage history, for iOS 17.4 on Feb. 21.

With the new protocol, Apple becomes one of only a handful of providers featuring post-quantum cryptography for messages. Signal launched a quantum resistant encryption upgrade back in September 2023, but Apple says its the first to reach level 3 encryption.

According to the Cupertino-based company:

Apples iMessage has featured end-to-end encryption since its inception. While it initially used RSA encryption, the company switched to Elliptic Curve cryptography (ECC) in 2019.

As of current, breaking such encryption is considered infeasible due to the amount of time and computing power required. However, the threat of quantum computing looms closer every day.

Theoretically, a quantum computer of sufficient capabilities could break todays encryption methods with relative ease. To the best of our knowledge there arent any current quantum computing systems capable of doing so, but the rapid pace of advancement has caused governments and organizations around the world to begin preparations.

The big idea is that by developing post-quantum cryptography methods ahead of time, good actors such as banks and hospitals can safeguard their data against malicious actors with access to cutting-edge technology.

Theres no current time frame for the advent of quantum computers capable of breaking standard cryptography. IBMclaims it will have hit an inflection point in quantum computing by 2029, while MIT/Harvard spinout QuEra says it will have had a 10,000-qubit error-corrected system by 2026.

Unfortunately, bad actors arent waiting until they can get their hands on a quantum computer to start their attacks. Many are harvesting encrypted data illicitly and storing it for decryption later in whats commonly known as a HNDL attack (harvest now, decrypt later).

Related: Oxford economist who predicted crypto going mainstream says quantum economics is next

See the original post:
Apple is future-proofing iMessage with post-quantum cryptography - Cointelegraph

The Monetary Authority of Singapore has told the country's financial institutions to make sure they are prepared for the rising cybersecurity risks posed by quantum computing.

Experts predict that over the next decade cryptographically relevant quantum computers will start posing cybersecurity risks. These computers will break commonly-used asymmetric cryptography, while symmetric cryptography could require larger key sizes to remain secure.

A recent DTCC white paper warned that quantum computing could "create significant new risks for financial firms by making even the most highly protected computer systems vulnerable to hacking".

In an advisory to FS firms, MAS says this means the sector needs to attain 'cryptoagility' to be able to efficiently migrate away from the vulnerable cryptographic algorithms to post-quantum cryptography without significantly impacting their IT systems and infrastructure.

To help them prepare, the regulator says companies should be monitoring ongoing quantum computing developments; making sure management and third party vendors are up to speed on the subject; and working with vendors to assess IT supply chain risks.

Firms should be maintaining an inventory of cryptographic assets, and identifying critical assets to be prioritised for migration to quantum-resistant encryption, says the MAS.

View post:
Singapore warns banks to prepare for quantum computing cyber threat - Finextra

Rolls-Royce plans to use quantum computing to figure out how to run nuclear power plants remotely. Through the Quantum Technology Access Programme (QTAP), the manufacturer aims to build small, autonomous nuclear reactors that could operate safely in remote mining colonies and on the Moon and Mars.

During the programme, Rolls-Royce used data from the Fukushima nuclear event to investigate the feasibility of a quantum machine learning model to identify potentially hazardous situations quickly. This would enable the reactor to operate safely and be shut down if necessary, with minimal human involvement.

QTAP provides access to quantum computing and experts from Riverlane and Orca Computing. Its goal is to assist companies in trialling novel use cases to demonstrate the potential for quantum technology to transform critical parts of the UK economy.

Jonathon Adams, assistant chief engineer at Rolls-Royce, said: The Novel Nuclear team at Rolls-Royce is very future focused, seeking to develop revolutionary new technologies and explore energy-efficient applications for nuclear power on Earth and in space.

Quantum technologies, including quantum computing, will be an enabler for this over the next 15 years. Its important that we develop an understanding of how and when we can adopt this technology. The Digital Catapult Quantum Technology Access Programme has been a timely boost to this effort.

Rolls-Royce is among a number of organisations that are working with the QTAP programme to identify applications of quantum computing-based optimisation. Other organisations involved in the programme include Arup, Airbus and the Port of Dover. During a demo day organised by Digital Catapult, the UK authority on advanced digital technology, participating companies including DNV Services UK and Bahut tested optimisation applications on the Orca PT-1 quantum computer.

Another optimisation example demonstrated was one from SeerBI, which used a quantum machine learning model to predict shipments that were at risk of late arrival.

Owain Brennan, CEO of SeerBI, said: The QTAP programme has proved invaluable for our team so far. We have been able to pick up new skills and interact with technology that, at the start of the programme, we didnt even know existed. Applying this technology to our problem area of logistics and on-time delivery classification using quantum binary classification opened our eyes to a different way of looking at problems.

We would like to give out thanks to the digital catapult team for their support and Orca Computing for access to their systems and SDK [software developer kit] throughout the programme.

According to Digital Catapult, the quantum computer successfully solved industrial problems, demonstrating the potential to solve more complex and sophisticated challenges in the future.

Digital Catapults director of innovation practice, Katy Ho, said: The remarkable success achieved on QTAP underscores the increasing interest in quantum computing within industry. From its inception to the showcase, participating companies have consistently shown commitment to enhancing their understanding of quantum technology.

See the rest here:
Rolls-Royce looks at viability of quantum computing in nuclear safety - ComputerWeekly.com

Apple says there's a real risk that future quantum computers could be able to decrypt and read content sent via its iMessage app, so it developed a new protocol to combat the potential threat.

To create the new iMessage protocol, which is called PQ3, Apple says it rebuilt its cryptographic protocol "from the ground up" to redesign iMessage from a security standpoint. PQ stands for post-quantum, and Apple says PQ3 brings a third level of protection to its end users. It's also able to conceal the size of messages, the company says.

Content on iMessage is currently end-to-end encrypted, meaning messages from both the sender and receiver are encrypted so that not even Apple can view your messages.

"The rise of quantum computing threatens to change the equation," Apple's Security Engineering and Architecture (SEAR) team wrote Wednesday.

While some quantum computers already exist and are in use, the Technical University of Denmark said last year that such machines aren't that powerful yet. Researchers estimate that quantum computers may not be able to crack end-to-end encryption for years to come, mainly because current quantum computers simply aren't big enough.

"Even though they cant decrypt any of this data today, they can retain it until they acquire a quantum computer that can decrypt it in the future, an attack scenario known as Harvest Now, Decrypt Later," Apple's SEAR team says.

But Apple's proactive solution aims to alleviate such concerns. Apple will roll out PQ3 on iMessage to fully replace its existing protocol sometime this year. Once Apple users install the software update that includes PQ3, their messages will be protected by it going forward.

PQ3 will launch with iOS 17.4, which is expected in March, as well as iPadOS 17.4, macOS 14.4, and watchOS 10.4, according to Apple. This means Apple plans to add its next-gen security feature to all its devices that offer iMessage, from its iPhones to tablets, computers, and wearables.

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Read more from the original source:
Apple Ramps Up iMessage Security to Fight Looming Quantum Computing Threat - PCMag