To stay ahead in a hypercompetitive business landscape, you can benefit from using technology to improve your efficiency and productivity. This is where quantum computing can help you.
Quantum computing has in recent years become one of the most promising technologies for businesses across multiple industries. Many have already started experimenting with the technology across major business functions, and if you’re one of those businesses that have not, you might want to keep reading.
In this article, you’ll learn all you need to know about quantum computing. Together, we will explore the aspects below:
Quantum vs Classical Computing – The Key Differences
Real-World Uses of Quantum Computing
Impact of Quantum Computing on Cybersecurity
The Future of Quantum Technology
Let’s get started.
What is Quantum Computing?
Quantum computing is a branch of computer science that uses the principles of quantum mechanics to improve the problem-solving abilities and computational efficiency of computer networks. The technology is still in its early stages, however holds the potential to surpass the computational abilities of even some of the most efficient supercomputers.
Quantum computing uses certain hardware and applies the concepts of entanglement, decoherence, interference, and superposition to computer algorithms. Let’s take a deeper look at each of these concepts.
Key Concepts of Quantum Computing
- Entanglement: This is a process that allows multiple quantum particles to form stronger correlations than what regular probability allows.
- Decoherence: This is a process where quantum systems and particles decay, crash, or evolve into a non-quantum state that can be measured using classical physics.
- Interference: This is the scenario where entangled quantum states interact and produce more or less likely possibilities.
- Superposition: This is the state in which a quantum particle or system represents a combination of different possibilities, instead of just one.
All these concepts allow these systems to solve complex problems beyond the capabilities of classical computing systems, possibly reducing the time from years to a few minutes. The next section explores how these quantum computers work.
How Quantum Computers Work
Quantum computers and classical computers both use binary code. However, quantum computers use qubits instead of bits.
Qubits are units that are created by providing a charge or polarizing particles like electrons, photons, atoms, ions, or superconducting materials. This allows them to act as either a 0, a 1, or any possible state in between. These units allow quantum computers to store a greater amount of information and process it much faster than classical systems.
To prevent errors and inaccuracies, qubits must be kept away from heat or noise. There are different types of qubits, each being more suited to a specific function. Let’s take a look.
- Superconducting Qubits: These are made using superconducting materials and offer greater speed and control.
- Trapped Ion Qubits: These are made from trapped ions and offer longer coherence times and accurate measurements.
- Quantum Dots: These are small semiconductors that capture and use a single electron as a qubit. They offer greater scalability and are compatible with current semiconductor technology.
- Photons: These are light particles that are used to transmit quantum information over longer distances using fiber optic cables.
- Atoms: These are neutral atoms charged using lasers, and they offer greater scalability potential.
Three of the concepts shared in the previous section are crucial to how qubits operate: entanglement, interference, and superposition. Let’s take a look at the roles each of them plays.
- Entanglement: This enables qubits to interact with each other and link the state of one to that of another, even over long distances. This allows the system to determine the state of other qubits by measuring just one.
- Interference: This allows qubits to interact with and influence each other. It can be used to make a desired outcome come true by making qubits interfere with each other.
- Superposition: This allows qubits to simultaneously exist in a state that is a combination of 0 and 1. By doing so, they can process multiple possibilities side-by-side.
By adding more qubits and enabling them to interact and influence each other, the three concepts mentioned above allow quantum computing systems their huge processing power.
Currently, quantum computers use existing high-speed internet services, like Xfinity, for example, to carry out their tasks. However, the vision is to create a dedicated network known as the quantum internet. This will allow quantum computers more flexibility to communicate with each other, without relying on internet protocols.
Now that you have an understanding of how quantum computers work, you’ll be able to understand the differences between quantum and classical computing. The next section explores the major ones.
Quantum vs Classical Computing – The Key Differences
Beyond bits and qubits, there are many other differentiators between classical and quantum computing. Some of these include their affordability, size, uses, data storage formats, and processing power. In this section, I’ll break down each of them. Let’s start with classical computing.
Classical Computing
- Compact and affordable hardware that can be used in various settings
- Used by common use computers and devices for various purposes
- Store information in bits in only two possible states, 0 or 1
- Processes data logically and sequentially
- Often provide single answers or outcomes
Quantum Computing
- Large and expensive hardware that requires certain conditions to perform optimally.
- Used by specialized quantum mechanics-based quantum systems used for experimentation.
- Stores information in qubits as 0, 1, or anywhere in between.
- Processes large amounts of data simultaneously using interference and quantum logic.
- Provides a range of answers or outcomes.
The power of quantum computing has overshadowed limitations like its expenses, size, and storage conditions. This is evident with the technology being applied to various real-world use cases, some of which will be explored in the next section.
Real-World Uses of Quantum Computing
Despite being in its early stages, quantum computing has been applied to many industries, with its potential for the cybersecurity industry being the most significant. This section will briefly explore some such use cases before exploring the impact of quantum computing on cybersecurity.
· Financial Modeling
I took accounting and finance in college once, and I can testify that it is one of the toughest jobs out there. Quantum computing can make it significantly easier by modeling the behaviors of investments and securities. This can help financial organizations to understand trends, optimize portfolios, and reduce risk. Industry leaders like JP Morgan Chase have utilized the technology for pricing option contracts.
· Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) have already helped improve the speed of business functions like marketing, design, etc., by automating tasks or quickly analyzing large datasets. Imagine the ability to solve even more complex problems at a speed even greater than this; that is what quantum computing brings to the table for both of these technologies.
· Drug and Chemical Research
Quantum computing can allow deeper insights into how atoms interact by creating accurate models of the process. This can lead to a more well-grounded understanding of molecular structures. With this knowledge, research into drugs and chemicals can be easily performed, potentially leading to more ethical practices, newer medicines, and a better understanding of how they can be used.
Now, on to cybersecurity. You might be wondering why I’m giving the spotlight to cybersecurity, and it’s because quantum computing acts as both a threat and support for the cybersecurity industry. The next section explores how.
Impact of Quantum Computing on Cybersecurity
Cyberattacks have become more advanced and frequent in recent years, and are predicted to cost people and businesses 10.5 trillion this year alone. This makes investing in cybersecurity solutions a good choice.
However, many long-lasting cybersecurity solutions are now on the verge of becoming outdated. Solutions like Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) and the Rivest–Shamir–Adleman (RSA) Cryptosystem can easily be cracked with the analytical capabilities and processing speed of quantum computers.
This could weaken blockchain systems, authentication protocols, and result in greater instances of data being compromised. Businesses using these solutions should shift to quantum-resistant cryptography to prevent these risks and work on creating policies and strategies to secure current systems before quantum computers go mainstream.
That was the threat; now let’s take a look at how quantum computers can support cybersecurity. These computers can detect cyberattacks and prevent major data loss. They can also help create stronger cryptography standards for digital data protection. Last but not least, they can enable secure and unbreakable communication.
The implementation of quantum-proof security can help businesses everywhere, however, it has its fair share of risks, with time, cost, and technical expertise taking center stage. Additionally, businesses will also have to constantly update themselves on developments in technology and optimize accordingly.
The Future of Quantum Technology
Despite promising potential, quantum computing is currently implemented in a limited range of industries, namely finance and healthcare. Additionally, they are used to solve a limited number of problems.
There have been developments in enabling classic computers to perform quantum methods, however, it has limited processing power compared to full-fledged quantum computers.
While no one knows exactly when quantum computing will become mainstream, IT experts predict that we may see quantum capabilities being used as a service or as products that blend classic and quantum computing features within the next 5 years.
When that happens, we may witness the next level of efficiency and security across industries, and possibly the birth of newer industries altogether.
