Computing the Impossible #TechVision THE BIG PICTURE In 1994, applied mathematician Peter Shor devised an algorithm that leveraged the theoretical properties of a quantum computer to efficiently find prime factors of a given integer, known as prime factorization. On the one hand, this was a huge We are at a monumental inflection point. With What’s happening in cybersecurity portends breakthrough: It expanded the horizon quantum computers, all current encryptions one of the most radically disruptive trends on of what was considered computationally (of health records, bank transactions, and the horizon. We are witnessing the emergence possible and it outlined the first practical much more) become crackable. The growth of a new class of machines which are application of quantum computers. On the and development of today’s quantum stretching the boundaries of what computers other hand, quantum computers were so far computers are shifting Shor’s algorithm from can solve. These machines, including but from existence that nothing actually changed. a distant theoretical solution to a seemingly not limited to quantum, are pushing Moore’s Prime factorization was essentially impossible inevitable and urgent risk to the security Law aside as they jump to a new curve of for traditional computers to solve, so it surrounding our digital existence. That’s compute capability. In doing so, they are continued to be used in much of the design why even though today’s quantum machines taking problems once thought impossible and of digital cryptographic systems – including are still not mature enough to run Shor’s bringing them into the realm of the possible. the RSA encryption standard that we still use algorithm, there are nevertheless preemptive And because industries are in fact defined by to protect everything from email to financial efforts underway to build post-quantum their most intractable problems, when these 169 transactions to IoT devices. cryptography. The professionals closest to machines mature they will ignite a cascade this problem know that the inevitable maturity of disruption that will revolutionize what Shor’s algorithm is one of many solutions that of quantum computers will irrevocably change industries look like. used to exist on paper only, but now with the the rules of their industry, and if they’re latest advances in quantum computing, we’re caught playing catch-up after the computers starting to build the computers that could are developed, they will already be too late. actually run it. Introduction // WebMe // Programmable World // The Unreal // Computing the Impossible 74