Dan Boneh, a Stanford professor and cryptography pioneer, joins Justin Thaler, a research partner at a16z and expert in cryptographic proof systems, to explore the fascinating world of quantum computing. They dive into the implications of quantum threats on traditional cryptography and the urgent need for adaptation. With anticipated timelines for quantum advancements, they discuss the strategies organizations must employ, zero-knowledge proofs, and the potential resilience of blockchain technologies against quantum challenges while teasing apart the noise from the real advancements.
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insights INSIGHT
Quantum Superposition Powers Computing
Quantum computing leverages superposition where qubits can represent multiple states simultaneously with positive and negative amplitudes.
This ability allows quantum computers to manipulate exponentially many states and perform computations beyond classical capabilities.
insights INSIGHT
NIST Timeline for Crypto Shift
NIST plans to deprecate elliptic curve and RSA cryptography by 2035 for government systems.
Blockchain systems have unique needs and can upgrade more flexibly, so this timeline isn’t strict for them.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Avoid Premature Post-Quantum Switch
Avoid switching to post-quantum signatures too early due to their size and immature security.
Wait to gain more confidence to prevent adopting insecure or inefficient cryptographic schemes prematurely.
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This episode is all about quantum computing -- what it is, how it works, what's hype vs. reality, and how to prepare for it/ what builders should do.
Specifically, we cover:
What quantum computing is and isn't, and what people are really talking about when they worry about a quantum computer that can break cryptographic systems that are not secure against quantum attacks.
When is it happening/ what are the "timelines" for quantum computing becoming a reality -- or rather, when could we have a cryptographically relevant quantum computer -- how many years away are we? and when are the U.S. government's deadlines/ NIST standards for post-quantum cryptography?
How will different types of cryptography be affected, or not? What are different approaches and tradeoffs?
Where does quantum computing and post-quantum crypto apply to blockchains -- which by and large rely on signatures, not encryption, so may be more quantum-resistant in many ways (and not in others)...
As always, we tease apart the signal vs. the noise in recent "science-by-press release" corporate quantum-computing milestone announcements. We also help answer questions on when do builders need to plan their switch to a post-quantum crypto world, what pitfalls to avoid there (hint: bugs! software upgrades!). Finally, we briefly cover different approaches to post-quantum crypto; and also dig deeper on zero-knowledge/ succinct-proof systems and how they relate to post-quantum crypto.
Our expert guests, in conversation with Sonal Chokshi, are:
Dan Boneh,Stanford University professor and applied cryptography expert and pioneer; also Senior Research Advisor to a16z crypto;
Justin Thaler, research partner at a16z, professor at Georgetown, and longtime expert and pioneer in interactive and ZK proof systems.
"Q-Day Clock" from Project Eleven -- public dashboard to visually track timeline for quantum computing to reach cryptographically relevant capabilities and break widely used encryption algorithms
As a reminder, none of this is investment, business, legal, or tax advice; please see a16z.com/disclosures for more important information including a link to our investments.
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