"Cybersecurity of Quantum Computing: A New Frontier"

Quantum computer research and development continues to expand at an accelerated rate. In 2022, the US government spent over $800 million on Quantum Information Science (QIS) research. Quantum computers hold great promise because they will be able to solve certain classically intractable problems, meaning that a conventional computer cannot perform the calculations in a practical timeframe for humans. Given this computational capability, there are growing concerns about the future cyber threats quantum computers could pose. For example, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas has identified the transition to post-quantum encryption as a priority for ensuring cyber resilience. There needs to be more discussion about how to protect quantum computers in the future. If quantum computers become valuable, it is reasonable to assume that they will ultimately be the target of cybercriminal activity. Understanding how quantum computers will be incorporated with classical computers is crucial for exploring cyber threats against quantum computers. The interface between classical and quantum computers in the hybrid computing environments typical of the Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum (NISQ) era is ideal for cyberattacks. This interface is the gateway between the classical and quantum environments, allowing known classical computer exploits to traverse into quantum domains. A hybrid system can be compromised by using various known cyberattack techniques against traditional computers. This article continues to discuss the concept of quantum computing, cyber threats to quantum computers, and six key areas of future research in quantum cybersecurity.

Carnegie Mellon University reports "Cybersecurity of Quantum Computing: A New Frontier"