Every day, billions of encrypted messages flow through cloud networks protected by mathematical puzzles so complex that it would take our current computers longer than the age of the universe to solve them. Encryption helps to make our online banking, e-commerce, and cloud computing possible. Think of it as the invisible foundation of the digital economy.
However, there is an issue on the horizon. Quantum computers are about to turn impossible mathematical puzzles into trivial sums that can be solved in minutes (instead of billions of years). All of the encryption methods that we have come to rely on and that have protected cloud networks for decades are on borrowed time, and most organisations are unaware of what’s coming.
Understanding the quantum threat to cloud security
The best encryption methods used to protect today’s cloud networks aren’t unsolvable, just very hard for typical computing power to break with brute-force attacks. Factoring large numbers, solving discrete logarithms, and computing elliptic curve problems are the bedrock of RSA, Diffie-Hellman, and elliptic curve cryptography.
Shor’s algorithm, a quantum computing method developed by mathematician Peter Shor in 1994, exploits quantum properties like superposition and entanglement to factor large numbers much faster than any classical approach could.
Instead of trying every possible factor one by one (which is the essence of a brute force attack), Shor’s algorithm tests multiple possibilities simultaneously using quantum mechanics, solving them in practically no time. This turns every TLS/SSL connection, digital signature, and authentication protocol into the digital equivalent of a house of cards.
Grover’s algorithm poses a different but equally serious threat to symmetric encryption, effectively halving the strength of keys and making AES-128 as weak as 64-bit encryption.
“Harvest now, decrypt later” attacks mean bad actors are already collecting encrypted data, waiting for the day quantum computers become powerful enough to unlock it.
Potential impacts on cloud networks
Cloud environments are vulnerable because they rely heavily on shared infrastructure. In a typical cloud setup, multiple customers’ data runs on the same physical hardware, separated by layers of encryption.
When quantum computers figure out how to break through those protective layers, the isolation between tenants disappears, creating potential cross-tenant attacks where breaking into one customer’s data gives access to hundreds (if not thousands) of others.
Modern cloud authentication relies on widely used protocols like OAuth, SAML, and Kerberos. All use cryptographic methods that quantum computers can break. When these authentication systems fail, the entire concept of secure cloud access falls apart.
Defensive strategies for a post-quantum cloud
But it’s not all doom and gloom. The cybersecurity community has been well aware of the quantum threat and has known it’s coming for decades. As such, it’s been stepping up preparations accordingly.
The best way to think about encryption is like an arms race. When one side develops better weapons, the other side develops better armour. Quantum computing represents a significant step in the battle, and it will require a big shift in how we approach security.
Network security services have been developing and integrating various quantum-resistant solutions. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has released and standardised several post-quantum cryptographic algorithms based on mathematical problems that quantum computers find challenging to solve. These include lattice-based cryptography and hash-based signatures.
Quantum key distribution (QKD) offers an entirely different approach for the most sensitive applications. QKD uses quantum security mechanics properties to detect if anyone is eavesdropping on key exchanges. If someone tries intercepting the quantum keys, the quantum state changes, alerting both parties in the communication to the security breach.
The main takeaway is that quantum technology isn’t just a threat to cloud security, it’s also a powerful tool for enhancing it. Quantum security random number generators can create truly unpredictable encryption keys, and quantum-powered AI systems can process vast amounts of network data to detect threats with unprecedented speed.
Final word
Quantum computing represents one of the biggest threats and most significant opportunities in cloud security history. Organisations lagging will be caught off guard by the rapid introduction of quantum computing.
While these capabilities may be years away, the window for preparation is closing. Even though there will likely be more protection as this date approaches, it’s worth getting ahead of the game and ensuring your security posture is as up to date as possible, especially if you handle sensitive data or operate in highly-regulated industries.
Nobody has ever complained about their data being too safe, and along with peace of mind, you’ll know you’re well protected when the quantum revolution finally comes.
Author: Rene Mulyandari
Company: Mediaplacing