Quantum Cryptography and Post-Quantum Resistance: A Quantum Chat with Dr Rob Campbell
An excerpt of my Quantum Chat with Dr Rob Campbell discussing all things quantum computing from basic concepts to post quantum resistance.
Mihir: How would you explain quantum computing in plainlanguage?
Dr Campbell: So the computers we use today are calledclassical computers. Classical computing uses binary system, ones and zeroes.In quantum computing, we make use of universal laws. Our universe is governedby the natural laws. Tiny electrons, protons, atoms and such have strangebehavior. Einstein called it ‘spooky action at a distance’. Quantum computingcan measure the wave particle phenomenon. A classical computer cannot measurethe reality. Reality says the answer, many times, is not definite, it’s a probability.Quantum computing can give you an answer, which is actually a range of possibleanswers. While the classical computing can only tell you yes or no. Compared tobits in classical computing quantum computing uses qubits. Qubits mimic theuniversal reality and can give you possibilities.
Another principle that we use in quantum computing isentanglement. Particles in quantum computing like electron, photon, atoms – wecan cause them to interact. When they interact, they become entangle. Throughentanglement if we measure one of the particles, we know what the other one isalso. One qubit entangles with another qubit gives us quantum speedup orexponential speedup. When you add additional bit in the classical computing,the formula for capacity is 2n. In quantum computing the capacity increasesexponentially, 2n.
Mihir: It is clear from your answer that quantum computinghas solid physics behind it and quantum computing uses qubit. What is thecurrent capacity in terms of qubits?
Dr Campbell: IBM has over 400 qubits system. They areforecasting 1023 qubits next year. We also have different types of qubits. Oneof them is superconducting. You have to keep it really really cool andcryogenic. So you have limitation based on the size of cryogenic cooler. A lotof companies have made progress in semiconducting qubits, like your laptop and smartphones. You can operate it at room temperature and you get rid of expensiveequipments that are required for cooling. This will accelerate the hardwareside of qubit expansion.
Keep in mind your first classical computers were gigantic insize and could only do simple multiplication. People thought they could do thosemultiplications in their head and there was no utility for machines. Look attoday. We can’t do anything without computers. Quantum computing is also going throughsimilar transformation. People have no idea about the power of quantumcomputing. It is like nothing we have seen in the world. It will transformevery sector on planet.
Mihir: Let’s now talk about your interest in quantumcomputing. You are the chair of the quantum computing research program at theCapitol Technology University and you have been a quantum computing researchscientist previously. What is your interest and expertise in the field of quantumcomputing?
Dr Campbell: Yes, I am the chair of the PhD program. Iadvise students on quantum computing research. I am also a senior associateanalyst at Inside Quantum Technology. I write papers for them. I just publisheda 69 page technical report on quantum computing and blockchain/cryptography. Theypay me for writing. I also do a lot of talks on the topic. I am going toAustin, Texas to do a talk in September. I am also going to New York inOctober. There is a quantum cyber security conference - Inside QuantumTechnology. I will be talking about the paper I wrote there. In nutshell, I do lotof writing and talking about quantum computing. I also do my own research withmy students.
Mihir: What is the primary focus of your research?
Dr Campbell: Right now, we are in a historic cryptographymigration that is poorly understood by many on the planet. NIST came out withnew cryptography standards to counter the threats of quantum computing. Theyreleased that in July 2022. Most people don’t understand is that the newalgorithms based on NIST’s standards have to be adopted by everyone – all governmentagencies, corporations that deal with any regulated data. These algorithms maynot work in our current systems. First of all, we have to understand ourcurrent systems better. Second, we will have to understand these newalgorithms. Third, we will have to implement the new algorithms side-by-side withour current systems. This is a huge task. You really have to be involved incryptography at deep level to understand the enormity of it. It will be costly.We don’t have the workforce to understand and implement it. That’s what myresearch is. I research how we can get there, what we need to do to get thenation ready for this migration.
Mihir: Will the organizations need their own quantumcomputing capabilities to successfully migrate to new cryptography algorithms?
Dr Campbell: What we are talking about is called PostQuantum Resistance (PQR). These algorithms will run on current machines, butthey will be resistant to quantum computing attacks. There is another categorythat I am researching in is quantum cryptography. PQR is still based onmathematics like current cryptography. Quantum cryptography is not based onmathematics but on quantum mechanics. We will have to adopt not only PQR butalso quantum cryptography.
I said there is a shortage in workforce, because there arenot enough people on the planet that understands classical cryptography,quantum cryptography and post quantum resistance. That’s why I am doing theresearch in this field.
Mihir: Quantum Computing sounds expensive and challenging.What is the motivation for an organization to adopt such technology?
Dr Campbell: There is a global race for global supremacy andthat’s what driving it. Think about it, you are a nation state like the US andyou have secrets like nuclear codes, IPs, militaries and research, you have toprotect them. A quantum computer can make all of them open. You won’t be ableto keep any secrets. Conversely, you can use quantum computing to give you advantageto figure out answers before anybody can and you can be the first to the market.This can be new type of weapon, a new type of car and many more.
Mihir: One of the books you recommended for reading was TheQuantum Internet by the Cambridge University Press. In that book they talkabout quantum computing as a concept of metaverse and the technology will gobeyond the internet in connectivity and changing our reality. What do you thinkof that paradigm?
Dr Campbell: I agree. We are heading to a metaverse andvirtual reality. When you add the power of quantum computing, than it takes itto another scale. Virtual reality goggles look somewhat real. When you havethat with quantum computing, you will have difficulty telling differencebetween reality and augmented/virtual reality. The Matrix will become reality.
Mihir: Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Dr Campbell: We start talking about things likequantum computing and when the students see it, they see these complex physicstheories and long mathematical equations. That discourages them many times. Astudent may think – I do not have physics or quantum mechanics background – andshy away from the field all together. And it can look very daunting. I wouldsay scientists and physicists are taking care of that. We need an entireecosystem of programmers, technicians to put machines together, runningoperations, and many more roles. There are many opportunities. I encouragestudents not to get discouraged by the big formulas and join the field of quantumcomputing in the role of their interest.
Reading recommended by Dr Campbell:
The Quantum Computing: the second quantum revolution by Peter P. Rohde
Quantum Computing for Beginners by Simon Edwards
