Tag Archives: Blockchain

Quantum Unicorn

Quantum Crypto – Trust me, I’ve come to save the world

The cyber world is embattled. Can a new quantum unicorn ride to the rescue? A novel solution is seeking to harness the power of three deep tech disciplines – quantum, crypto and space. What are the strengths and weaknesses of this new approach? The world needs a cyber security reboot The digital world is already…

Quantum Internet Outlook 2021

Quantum Internet Outlook 2021

Business must act now to secure itself against the security threat posed by future quantum computers. Fortunately new quantum-resistant maths-based crypto is on track to protect businesses that act promptly. To understand the growing momentum behind additional physics-based quantum security, it’s necessary to appreciate its unique enduring security promise and the long term direction in…

Quantum Algorithms Outlook

Quantum Algorithms Outlook 2020

Contrary to many reports there are set to be immediate applications even for early devices. Some will be controversial. However in other areas timelines look over-hyped. 2020 will be a key year to prove the naysayers wrong. Will clients see early value? Despite all the fuss, quantum processors actually run more slowly than conventional processors.…

Quantum supremacy

Quantum supremacy – a new era?

Google claims quantum supremacy – the ability to perform a calculation beyond the reach of conventional computers. This is a landmark scientific, mathematical and technical achievement. But as many such as IBM point out we should all beware of hype. The road to general purpose quantum computing remains a long one. Google has published a…

Quantum safe cryptography - waiting to save the world

Quantum safe cryptography – waiting to save the world

Future quantum computers will one day bring us many great benefits. Unfortunately they will also break many of the cryptographic protocols on which current Internet security depends. Google’s quantum supremacy breakthrough notwithstanding, this is still most likely many years off. However, sensitive data intercepted and stored today, or long lifecycle infrastructure could already be at…

Quantum Blockchain

Quantum enhanced blockchain – sooner than you think?

Future quantum computers will ultimately force blockchain solutions to adopt strengthened quantum safe crypto protocols. Rationally there remains plenty of time to act, but proponents need to get their transition stories in place to avoid being caught out as we near peak quantum hype. More positively, the nascent blockchain industry also stands to be among…

Quantum Outlook

Quantum Outlook 2019

2018 has seen rising awareness of the future potential of quantum technology. 2019 is set to see quantum computing in particular at the peak of its hype cycle. Fact Based Insight believes that investors should take a wide view of the sector to find value in the short, medium and long term. The road to…

UK Flag

Quantum Technology for a Global Britain?

The UK Quantum Showcase demonstrates why others around the world are seeking to copy the UK’s quantum technology approach. It’s little surprise that the UK government is providing additional funding of £315m over the next 5 years. The 2018 UK National Quantum Technology Showcase took place in the prestigious QEII conference centre overlooking London’s Parliament…

Quantum software

The central role of quantum software

Quantum thought leader Scott Aaronson reminds us that the challenge of achieving quantum advantage depends not just on breakthrough quantum hardware but also on mastering revolutionary new quantum software. Scott Aaronson is a professor of Computer Science at the University of Texas at Austin, and the founding director of its Quantum Information Center. An expert…

Bitcoin

Quantum attacks on Bitcoin and how to protect against them

Academics argue that Bitcoin could be subject to attack from quantum computers by 2027. There are plenty of ways to meet this challenge, but given recent experience how easy will the Bitcoin community find it to organise its response? A new paper from Aggarwal, Brennen, Lee et al. starts by underlining the strength of Bitcoin’s main…