he Readiness, Risks and Mitigation Measures of Quantum Supremacy to Current Digital Security Measures and Infrastructure

Abstract

With the growing funding and research into quantum computers by countries such as the United States, China and India, there is growing concern about the security of modern encryption systems that the digital space relies on. It has been shown that Shor’s algorithm is capable of breaking Rivest–Shamir–Adleman encryption which forms a fundamental part of online security today. This paper explores the readiness of countries and organizations to cope with Quantum Supremacy which is expected to be achieved by the year 2033 and potentially sooner as the estimates given are based on the current technology but as can be noted, it is very hard to predict breakthroughs. However, scientists today are quite aware that fully functional quantum computers are not far off. Through a literature review using resources such as Google Scholar, IEEE Xplore, and the ACM Digital Library, we will investigate the current research and progress into the field of Quantum Computers, the initiatives to make global infrastructure ready for the expected breakthroughs and the implications, risks, and mitigation measures currently possible to prepare for Quantum Supremacy. We also look at the Technology Acceptance Model as relates to the adoption of Quantum Computers. The study will focus on the measures that countries and organizations have put in place to protect digital space and digital data. Within the scope of the analysis, we will apply the Pareto principle on the top 20% of the wealthiest Nations and Organizations and on 20% of the wealthiest middle-income nations to provide a broad overview of readiness. We will also provide a case study of the United States which is known to be a technological Superpower. We will analyze efforts to prevent unlawful access by both private entities and sovereign nations. This work aims to contribute to the ongoing assessment of global readiness for quantum supremacy.