Quantum computing, once a distant concept, is getting closer to a tangible reality. Though still in its infancy, quantum technology will create a world where many of the contemporary complexities that classical computers struggle with are instantly solvable. While widespread availability is not yet here, it’s on the horizon – and it will have far-reaching implications.
How Far Away Are We From Quantum Computers?
General-purpose quantum computers are still years away – maybe even decades. But advancements are being made, especially toward what’s known as the quantum advantage. This refers to the point at which quantum technology can outperform classical computing for specific applications. In fields like cryptography, this could allow for solving problems that are currently unsolvable – potentially before quantum computers are widely available.
What Are The Biggest Challenges Still Facing Quantum Computers?
Scalability and accessibility remain the biggest challenges to quantum computers. Scaling up the computational power of the devices has long been a challenge for scientists. Every added qubit – also known as quantum bits – exponentially increases computational power, but it also increases the difficulty of managing hardware and error correction. Qubits are susceptible to environmental interference, which can make their calculations more prone to errors.
The hardware can also be an issue. Many quantum processors that are out there today need to be kept cooled to near absolute zero temperatures in order to function efficiently. This is a highly expensive and complex environment to maintain, limiting the ability for smaller organizations and developers to take part in scaling and growth. Other methods, such as trapped-ion computers, avert the temperature issues but are significantly slower.
Then there’s accessibility. The reality of today’s quantum computing landscape is that it’s complex, bulky and costly. The challenging infrastructure needs and high price points for developing and managing these processors means that, for many, classical computation remains a more practical option. A recent rise in cloud-based options has begun to democratize access to quantum technology, allowing researchers around the globe to utilize it for the first time. However, for quantum computing to be widely adopted, there needs to be a more permanent solution to the accessibility issues it faces.
What Are The Latest Breakthroughs In Quantum Computing?
A major milestone from quantum computing came earlier in 2024, when Microsoft and Quantinuum announced they had made advancements in the reliability of quantum computers by improving the stabilization of qubits. This is crucial, given the unreliable nature of qubits when their environment is disturbed. Currently, developers combat this by building more qubits than needed and error-correcting their way to reliability. If researchers can decrease the number of qubits needed to yield effective ones, it could mean a massive leap forward in addressing scalability.
IBM’s Condor processor also achieved a massive jump forward in quantum computing, boasting 1,121 qubits and surpassing the 1,000-qubit barrier. Condor represented a massive jump in the number of qubits over its previous processor, and this steady increase in capacity has helped IBM achieve higher efficiency while maintaining stability.
Looking Ahead: How to Secure Your Data for the Future
Although it is still not operational on a wide scale, quantum computing inches closer with each new breakthrough. But how will you secure your data when it arrives? Traditional methods of encryption are no match for quantum decryption. To protect the financial markets, data and privacy, new security solutions will be required.
One such solution is technology like SQE’s, which utilizes entangled custom hardware that generates a different key with every transmission. Because the encryption keys are not transmitted or shared, they cannot be hacked or made vulnerable – even with the nearly infinite processing power of quantum computers. SQE’s advanced system allows for unprecedented security, and scalability, ensures that today’s data is impervious to today and tomorrow’s technologies..