An Analysis of Security Threats in Quantum Computing Information Processing
Radhakrishnan Kanthavel, A. Anju, R. Adline Freeda, Krithikaa Venket, Ramakrishnan Dhaya, Frank Vijay, Joseph Fisher · Auerbach Publications eBooks · 2025
Quantum computing, which uses quantum physics’ superposition and entanglement, has the potential to revolutionize a number of disciplines, including material science, cryptography, and optimization. But the emergence of quantum computing also brings serious security risks, putting cryptography measures to the test and opening up new vulnerabilities. This work offers a thorough examination of these security risks in information processing using quantum computing. We investigate quantum-specific attacks that take advantage of quantum systems’ unique properties, going beyond cryptographic flaws. Quantum side-channel attacks on quantum hardware and quantum spying attempts on quantum key distribution (QKD) protocols highlight the practical issues in protecting quantum communication networks. Long-term dangers to data privacy and integrity also arise from the possibility of data gathering for future decryption, in which attackers gather and store encrypted data now in anticipation of being able to decrypt it later with more potent quantum computers. We first investigate the threats that quantum algorithms bring to the security of the cryptographic protocols in use today. Shor’s method jeopardizes the security of popular public-key cryptosystems such as RSA, ECC, and Diffie-Hellman because it can solve discrete logarithms and factor large integers quickly. Grover’s approach, similarly, weakens the security of symmetric-key cryptography systems by essentially halving their key strength while providing a quadratic speedup for brute-force searches. In order to mitigate these risks, we address the creation and application of post-quantum cryptography algorithms that are resistant to quantum assaults. For quantum communication networks, better QKD methods and infrastructure that is resistant to quantum emulation are crucial security considerations. Proactively developing responses and staying ahead of emerging dangers require constant research and observation. In summary, while quantum computing holds immense potential, it also introduces new security challenges that require resolution to protect information processing systems. This analysis emphasizes how critical it is to switch to cryptography techniques that are resistant to quantum computing and to put in place comprehensive security measures in order to protect against the constantly changing danger landscape that this technology poses. This chapter provides a concise overview of the key concepts that a comprehensive study would encompass.