“A quantum computer can crack your password.”
This statement is not merely a hypothesis. Quantum computers have the potential to render existing encryption systems obsolete, and as of 2024, this possibility is becoming increasingly real. Quantum computing technology goes beyond scientific curiosity, signaling powerful transformations in industries, national security, financial systems, and AI research. At the same time, the security threats and ethical concerns it brings are being seriously debated.
Quantum computing is not merely a technological advancement but a revolutionary shift that will completely overturn the existing computing paradigm, and we stand at its threshold.
In 2019, Google announced that it had achieved quantum supremacy. Google’s quantum computer, Sycamore, claimed to solve in just 200 seconds a computation that would take a supercomputer 10,000 years. However, IBM immediately countered this claim, arguing that with slight optimization, a supercomputer could perform the same computation in just a few days. While the debate over quantum supremacy continues, one thing is certain: quantum computing operates on an entirely different level from traditional computing.
Currently, global IT giants such as IBM, Google, Microsoft, and Intel, as well as major nations like China and the United States, are pouring astronomical investments into quantum computing development. IBM has unveiled its 127-qubit Eagle chip, while Google has introduced a 72-qubit chip, accelerating the path to practical applications. In 2020, China announced its 66-qubit quantum computer, Zuchongzhi, further advancing quantum supremacy research.
Despite these technological advancements, many challenges remain before quantum computers become practical. One of the biggest obstacles is the issue of quantum errors. Quantum computers rely on qubits as their fundamental unit of computation, but qubits are highly sensitive to even the slightest environmental changes, making them prone to errors. Quantum error correction algorithms are being developed to address this issue, but stable quantum computing would require millions of qubits.
Currently, quantum computers remain at the level of tens to hundreds of qubits and have yet to achieve practical stability. However, considering the pace of technological advancement, it is only a matter of time before quantum computers surpass conventional supercomputers. When quantum computers become practical, the changes they bring will mean far more than just “faster computations.”
Quantum computing is not only seen as a technological innovation but also as a potential threat. The primary reason for this concern is its ability to break encryption. The cryptographic systems we currently use (e.g., RSA, ECC) are based on complex mathematical problems such as prime factorization. While these problems take hundreds of years to solve with classical computers, a quantum computer could solve them in mere seconds.
Shor’s Algorithm is a representative example that demonstrates how quantum computers can break existing encryption systems. If this algorithm becomes practical, most online security systems in use today will be rendered useless. This threat extends beyond personal data breaches. It could compromise national secrets, financial systems, military security, and the foundations of the global economy. Cyber warfare would undergo a fundamental shift, making a complete overhaul of existing security systems inevitable.
In 2024, the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) announced the Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) standards, accelerating efforts to develop new encryption technologies for the quantum era. Banks, military institutions, and government agencies are also actively researching the adoption of next-generation cryptographic systems.
Quantum computers have the potential to disrupt not only security but almost every industry, including our daily lives. Innovations could occur in various fields such as finance, healthcare, energy, and AI.
In the financial sector, JPMorgan Chase is conducting experiments using quantum computers to perform more precise financial risk analysis. The immense computational power of quantum computers enables ultra-fast data analysis and market prediction, which is expected to transform the financial industry paradigm.
Global pharmaceutical companies such as Merck and Pfizer are leveraging quantum computing to accelerate drug development significantly. Until now, supercomputers have been used to analyze protein structures and explore drug candidates, but quantum computers can perform these processes much faster and with greater accuracy. Ford and BMW are also researching quantum computing applications to maximize the efficiency of next-generation batteries. If new materials surpassing the limitations of lithium-ion batteries are developed, the electric vehicle industry and renewable energy markets will be significantly impacted.
Quantum computers can train machine learning algorithms much faster and have the potential to solve complex problems that traditional AI cannot. The combination of AI and quantum computing could fundamentally reshape scientific and technological advancements.
Quantum computing is not a technology of the distant future. Research toward practical applications is progressing rapidly, and within the next 10 to 20 years, it is expected to break existing encryption systems and revolutionize multiple industries. The security threat is a tangible issue, making preparedness essential.
The inevitable rise of quantum computing presents a choice: will we embrace it as an opportunity, or will we merely see it as a threat? The decision is ours to make.
