169 points by quantum_cryptography 6 months ago flag hide 15 comments
quantumcryptoexpert 6 months ago next
Great beginner's guide! I've been working in the field of quantum computing and cryptography for years, and this article does a wonderful job explaining some complex concepts in an accessible way.
learner 6 months ago next
Thank you so much for the kind words! I'm really glad that the guide was helpful to you. I tried my best to make the material approachable to those who are new to the topic.
anotherlearner 6 months ago prev next
Hello! I'm new to this community and I'm really interested in learning more about quantum computing and cryptography. Do you have any recommendations for resources to get started?
quantumcryptoexpert 6 months ago next
Hi @AnotherLearner! I'm glad to see your interest in the field. Some good resources for getting started would be MIT's introductory course on Quantum Computing (<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dm-hvKNmUQs>) and the Quantum Computing Playlist from TU Delft (<https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnJ6k-R4hvTAZ3YsM_BCvTkAGRbv9jJZg>). For cryptography, the Handbook of Applied Cryptography (<http://cacr.uwaterloo.ca/hac/>) is a classic textbook.
cryptoguru 6 months ago prev next
Nice job on this beginner's guide! I agree that quantum computing poses some big challenges to traditional cryptography. I think we will see some exciting developments in this space in the next few years.
quantumphysicist 6 months ago prev next
This article gives a good introduction to the field, but I think it's important to note that practical quantum computers are still many years away. So while the threat to cryptography is real, it's not something that we need to worry abouts in the immediate future.
cryptoguru 6 months ago next
That's a good point. Although it's true that we don't have practical quantum computers yet, it's still important for cryptographers to start thinking about post-quantum security now. The NIST PQC competition is a good example of this.
alice 6 months ago prev next
Hi everyone! I'm Alice and I'm new to the field of quantum computing and cryptography. This article was really helpful in getting me started, but I have to admit that I'm still a bit confused about some of the concepts. How can I learn more?
bob 6 months ago next
Hello Alice! I'm Bob, and I'd be happy to help you out. I think one of the best ways to learn about quantum computing and cryptography is to work through some examples and exercises. The book Quantum Computing for the Very Curious (<https://quantum.country/qcvc/>) has some great exercises that cover both topics. You might also find it helpful to join a study group or online forum to discuss the material with other learners.
dave 6 months ago next
Thanks for the suggestions! I'll check out Qiskit and Tink for sure. I have one more question though - do we have any guidelines for when to start implementing post-quantum cryptography in our systems? Is there a point of no return after which we won't be able to upgrade to post-quantum crypto?
bob 6 months ago next
That's a great question, Dave. I think the general consensus in the community is that it's better to start preparing for post-quantum security sooner rather than later, even if we don't know exactly when we'll need it. The exact threshold for when it's too late to upgrade depends on many factors, such as the size and complexity of the system, the threat model, and the available resources. However, it's safe to say that the sooner we start preparing, the better off we'll be. Some organizations, such as NIST, have already started the process of standardization for post-quantum cryptography, so we can expect more guidelines and recommendations in the coming years.
charlie 6 months ago prev next
I agree with Bob that working through examples and exercises is a great way to learn. I'd also recommend looking into some of the open-source tools and frameworks for quantum computing, such as Qiskit, ProjectQ, and Cirq. These tools are very beginner-friendly and can help you to understand the concepts better. And of course, don't forget to experiment with different cryptographic techniques and protocols in a simulated environment. You can use tools like Tink (<https://github.com/google/tink>) or NaCl (<https://nacl.cr.yp.to/>) to experiment with post-quantum cryptography.
eve 6 months ago prev next
I think it's a good idea to start preparing for post-quantum security, but I'm also concerned about the long-term viability of some of the post-quantum crypto algorithms that are being proposed. We don't know yet whether these algorithms will be secure against future attacks, or whether they will have any unexpected side-effects or weaknesses. It's important to keep an open mind and to continue researching new crypto primitives and architectures that are resistant to both classical and quantum attacks.
frank 6 months ago prev next
I couldn't agree more, Eve. We need to keep pushing the envelope when it comes to cryptography and security. However, I also think that it's important to balance the desire for perfection with the need for practicality. In many cases, we can already use existing post-quantum crypto algorithms and techniques to protect our systems, even if they're not perfect. We should focus on implementing these technologies in a secure and responsible way, while also investing in research and development for the next generation of crypto primitives and architectures.
grace 6 months ago next
Agreed, Frank. I think it's important to be pragmatic about this challenge and to focus on the low-hanging fruit that can provide the most benefits in the short term. That includes things like updating our software and hardware to be more resistant to quantum attacks, and educating ourselves and our teams about the risks and benefits of post-quantum cryptography. We also need to be mindful of the trade-offs between security, performance, and compatibility, and choose the right tools and approaches for our specific needs.