Googles Groundbreaking Quantum Chip Falls Short: Is Modern Cryptography Safe From Quantum Threat

Google’s Breakthrough Quantum Chip May Not Be Able to Shatter Modern Cryptography

The White House has asserted that one day, quantum computers could render today’s encryption systems obsolete, sparking concern among experts. However, Google is pushing back against this notion, claiming its new “breakthrough” Willow chip is not yet capable of breaking modern cryptography.

According to Charina Chou, Google Quantum AI director and COO, the Willow chip is “not capable of breaking modern cryptography.” This statement is backed up by the company’s assertion that it would require millions of physical qubits to literally crack the codes. Currently, the chip boasts only 105 physical qubits, a far cry from the estimated 4 million needed to breach RSA encryption.

Chinese researchers have made claims about discovering new ways to break RSA encryption using smaller quantum computers, but security experts remain skeptical due to the complexity and computational power required. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has taken steps to address this concern by creating a competition for developing quantum-safe cryptography standards in 2016.

The NIST recently released three finalized algorithms and standards for integrating them into products and systems, with plans to select one or two more by the end of the year. The RAND Corporation, a think tank renowned for advising on US national security, warned that the emergence of an RSA-breaking quantum computer would trigger a worldwide rush to defend against it.

Google’s Willow chip is part of the company’s efforts to prepare for this potential threat. With the help of post-quantum cryptography (PQC), Google aims to safeguard its systems against the possibility of broken encryption. The development of PQC standards is an ongoing process, with NIST continuing to test and refine algorithms.

As the technology continues to evolve, experts emphasize the importance of developing robust cryptographic methods to protect against potential threats from quantum computers. While Google’s Willow chip may not be ready to shatter modern cryptography just yet, its development serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to stay ahead of emerging technological challenges.