We know quantum algorithms can break some forms of asymmetric encryption. The only issue is the practical problem of engineering a quantum computer with enough qubits to run them.
Now, it may be very, very hard to do this, and it may take decades more, or it may never be realised. Or a breakthrough may happen next year. There are no theoretical reasons it is impossible.
From a cryptography perspective, it takes a long time to create new cryptographic algorithms and gain trust in them. Many years of cryptanalysis are required by many people. So we are gradually moving towards quantum safe versions of asymmetric crypto. This is the only prudent thing to do.
In what sense do you feel that there is a claim not based in reality?
> The only issue is the practical problem of engineering a quantum computer with enough qubits to run them.
> In what sense do you feel that there is a claim not based in reality?
“Should be theoretically possible” - I’ll believe it when I see it. Anything quantum is always littered with qualifiers that “this isn’t possible now but the math checks out!” and hand waves potential issues.
Every few years I do a deep dive to learn that nothing has really changed, and the machines still have some fundamental limitation that nobody has solved for how to scale them to a useful # qubits.
I'd argue that a lot is changing, but it's a hard thing to do. We have processors with hundreds of (noisy) qubits. We have error correction schemes (that are not realisable yet though). We're exploring multiple different approaches to qubits, from superconducting ones to topological qubits.
I don't think I've seen any hand waving of potential issues by anyone. Everyone acknowledges it is hard.
Is your complaint simply that it's taking a long time? Or can you point me to some of the "hand waving" claims you refer to?
Now, it may be very, very hard to do this, and it may take decades more, or it may never be realised. Or a breakthrough may happen next year. There are no theoretical reasons it is impossible.
From a cryptography perspective, it takes a long time to create new cryptographic algorithms and gain trust in them. Many years of cryptanalysis are required by many people. So we are gradually moving towards quantum safe versions of asymmetric crypto. This is the only prudent thing to do.
In what sense do you feel that there is a claim not based in reality?