Ripple Highlights Math Professor’s Call to Replace Public-Key Cryptosystems

Professor Massimiliano Sala from the University of Trento in Italy recently addressed the future of blockchain technology, focusing on encryption and quantum computing, during Ripple’s ongoing university lecture series.

Sala emphasized the potential threat posed by the advancement of quantum computers.

As part of our #UBRI series, explore the intersection where blockchain meets quantum computing with Professor Massimiliano Sala from @UniTrento. Gain insights into the quantum challenges facing blockchain and strides towards quantum-resistant cryptography.https://t.co/UnpxUfCX5D

— Ripple (@Ripple) May 18, 2024

He warned that current encryption methods might be easily decipherable by future quantum computers, thus endangering entire blockchain systems.

According to Sala: “Quantum computers could easily solve problems that are foundational to digital signatures, thus potentially undermining the mechanisms that protect users’ assets on blockchain platforms.”

This scenario, often referred to as “Q-day,” represents a time when quantum computers could break classical encryption methods, posing significant risks to fields dependent on data security, including emergency services, infrastructure, banking, and defense.

For the cryptocurrency and blockchain sectors, the impact could be catastrophic.

Sala advises that “all classical public-key cryptosystems should be replaced with counterparts secure against quantum attacks.”

He explains that future quantum computers or quantum attack algorithms could use mathematical brute force to crack these encryptions.

🏫Ripple's latest report features University of Trento Professor Massimiliano Sala’s advocacy of the need for new cryptosystems to protect blockchain from future quantum computing threats.#blockchain #ripplehttps://t.co/yGU2E27KTl

— Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) May 20, 2024

Bitcoin, the world’s most popular cryptocurrency and blockchain, is also vulnerable under this scenario.

Although no practical quantum computer currently exists that can perform such tasks, global governments and scientific institutions are preparing for Q-day as an eventual reality.

While Sala notes that such an event might not be imminent, he points out that significant breakthroughs in the field suggest these systems could emerge within a few years.

Sala expresses satisfaction with the progress in quantum-proofing efforts and recommends that blockchain developers continue collaborating with encryption experts to adopt quantum-resistant standards and innovations.

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