Next Generation Post-Quantum Encryption May Not Be As Secure As Many Tech Experts Had Hoped

The world of quantum computing had a lot of hopes attached to a new and upcoming venture linked to post-quantum encryption.

However, tech analysts are going to be disappointed to learn that their fears of things not going according to plan is turning into a reality.

Many tech analysts and researchers predicted that it could really serve as a competitive candidate in the world of quantum computing encryption but that’s now turned into a deeply worrisome matter.

The main algorithm that we’re referring to here is the SIKE which somehow did manage to surpass the US encryption competition by NIST for different algorithms but fell short elsewhere in the quantum computing universe afterward.

Still, researchers needed 60 minutes to defeat it and carry out malicious actions like the theft of different encryption keys. And all that they required was a single personal computer with the advancements of the math world.

SIKE showed promising results when the analysis was conducted by the government, CSIS researchers present at the KU Leven required the same time to grab a hold of the respective encryption keys.

Those trying to enter didn’t find flaws inside the code but actually went on attacking the mathematical aspect of things that is the main part of the algorithm which is SIDH.

This particular algorithm in question was said to be defeated by the famously dubbed ‘glue and split’ theory. These sorts of attacks use two curve genus to invade one attack curve.

Whether we like it or not, it’s a major flaw and weakness that researchers can’t look past, even if they wanted to, not to mention the huge blow it serves to SIKE.

The outcome of the research was recently published in a paper called the ‘key SIDH recovery attack’. Microsoft applauded the great efforts and even rewarded the researchers of the study with $50,000.

SIKE was considered to be one of the four top algorithms that had the capability to take over those in place at the moment like RSA and a few more. But despite all the uproar of its great strength, it was cracked into easily and you can only imagine the result of what’s next when the world of quantum PCs booms.

For those who may not be aware, quantum PCs are much more competent than the devices we have today so they’re definitely more likely to break into the toughest algorithms linked to encryption out there today.

Illustration: Freepik/Starline

H/T: TH

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by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World