I have selected an article on the quantum mechanical computing research. It is observed by graduate students of University of Central Florida, which offers us a dark insight in the coming future of 21st century technology. The article was adapted to Science Daily web from materials provided by the university on March 6, 2008. Titled “Future ‘Quantum Computers’ Will Offer Increased Efficiency and Security Risks”, the article explores a hint of potential future of cryptography world. According to an observed finding, the technology may hold an ability to break any complicated encryption in matter of hours or even minutes.

Let’s think about the modern era of logical and silicon circuit computing. Moore’s law, in which computer obeys, cannot grow indefinitely. As CPU gets smaller in size, we will eventually reach the fundamental limitation of computational speed. What will scientists struggle in next breakthrough technological advancement, other than multi-core processors or new processor architectures?

The answer may be quantum mechanics. Largely pioneered by scientists during the early stage of 20th century, scientists began to apply the quantum theory to computer science only recently. The very theory behind quantum mechanics is not only an advancement of WWII military vehicles, but also chemistry and nuclear science as well as 1950s growth of computer science and communications system. New findings are now being reported every month, with all theories of quantum mechanics now applied to computer science. A recent finding caught my eye, as stated in the article, which deals with the high efficiency and security risks of quantum computers. It finds that the technology may easily break the most complicated encryption in matter of hours.

Is it possible that quantum computers will replace the future of existing IT (Information Technology) community? Or will a layer of quantum mechanics be applied behind the framework of IT business? It is an intriguing thought.

Short Critique

After reading “the” article, it seems to be plausible; I am still not convinced of its technical report. Such scientific jargon makes me think carefully about what it (acronym, for example) may imply. It fells me the following: a molecular magnetic receive an electrical impulse, then decrypt the inside information through quantum tunnelings. Such imaginary, yet scary! Such ideawould essentially destroy the existence of the privatized and/or publicized IT security in a slingshot.

Moreover, if the beast technology will become a reality in fifty years, I am not positive that it will replace our existence of logical technology. The current market is too great a business to sacrifice; it would represent a collapse of our present Information Age security world. The theory is simply too chaotic; logistics of modern business cannot be replaced by a mere chaotic approach.Or, it may be quantum-engineered to be a “super-spy” computer. Such technology would be a colossal, megalith tool ever invented by mankind. It is a vacuum space of technology.

Although the article report may seem overrated, I am usually careful in not underestimating the power of science. I cannot imagine stealing information all across the world using a quantum computer!

Even so, I do not think that there will be significant steps in quantum computing for a while. I think that is a more plausible path, because we have a lot to learn about quantum mechanics. However, I think we (Christian scientists) will see future complexities out of the quantum research.

Comparison

Let’s consider for a moment about our modern, widespread technology in the Westernized countries (neglecting Iran). The epicenter of industrial banking financial infrastructures rely on encryption systems for protection, as well as carrying out people’s financial needs as cleanly as possible. These are done by interconnected global computers, as well as global grid computing in some cases. In the modern time of Information Age, naturally, people are concerned about their private and personal information. Friends of victims have heard often that this sensitive information was leaked across the Internet, or stolen. Such illegal operations are forbidden, and criminals often face harsh punishments. What does this picture tell us?

Simply put, people depend on companies for protection and ensure their trust. The issue brings up some political and cultural problems, but not as bad as one may think. Logical protection is resolvable through managing the data-oriented, object-oriented, as well as process-oriented transmissions. This way, people have no major complaints with their security of information. IT business systems are praiseworthy for their achievement in the modern standard living of people, neglecting the illegal operations by Internet traffickers.

Yet, recent scientific advancements of quantum computing may have solved the most complicated encryption in a matter of hours. Consider the political and cultural implications of acquiring the technology. Would it be better off uninvented for our security of IT survival needs? The very idea of quantum mechanics may predate the world of IT.

The article points out to a crystal-clear conclusion: the power of super-hacking technology. Do we really need to pursue the scientific research on quantum computing?

Even if scientists do manipulate the theory of encryption for quantum computing, it would simply mean there would be too great a distance between decrypting and encrypting potentiality. In addition, the theory is extremely chaotic at subatomic level. However chaotic, it does show significant pattern in calculations. In other words, the technology would simply give a computer user too much power over the current and digital technology. A user could encrypt data quickly; he/she would also decrypt the same data quickly. Such futuristic technology has the potential to kill our modern technology in a light-speed process.

Contrast

The technology may seem very efficient; at the same time, ordinary people may be upset (or frown) upon the power of invention and sweeping technology (unseen since the days of 1920s and 1930s). Such powerful quantum computers would heighten a threat of any national security of any country. Still, we shouldn’t be anxious nor worried. In actuality, quantum mechanics largely misunderstood. We underestimate the truth behind scientific observations.

In contrast to what we may be aware of, quantum mechanics is not yet fully understood. Although manipulatable, scientists have been puzzling over the chaotic theory for years. In fact, we still have not yet understood the “weirdness” movements in atoms- the very particles that control atoms at subatomic level, protons and neutrons, controlled by smaller particles: quarks. We do not know why quarks and other similar-size or smaller scale particles behave this way, other than the nature of magnetic universe. That is the basis of the quantum mechanics. Currently, however, our best shot at understanding the quantum mechanics is to apply the theory at computational level.

In computational theory, we have only began to understand the basic operations of quantum application. The article claims that the observation is made on nanoscale magnetic systems. There’s more to it: it implies that we are still in the process of understanding quantum logic gates by controlling quantum tunneling shifts. Yet, the article seem to hint some kind of a replacement over the modern computer: chaos over everyday logic-making decisions.

Business and Consequences

History has shown us that technological advancements tend to be widespread in years or decades (Internet, for example). Certainly, quantum computing would greatly bring the benefits of application in the modern “AS-IS” systems. Such advancement could be simply applied by adding an encryption layer for both AS (Microsoft, for example) and IS (Apple/unix, for example) systems. However, it is not simple, as stated in previous statements. Such idea would corrupt corporate companies, and it could heighten more business damages between two main business strategies: those following the models of Business Process Automation (Microsoft) and Business Process Re-engineering (Apple).

Once the technology of quantum computing become mainstream, business would not look good, due to a probable mass growth of “problem analysis” (Microsoft) and “root cause analysis” (unix/Apple). With the encryption of C++ language efficient in problem analysis, this can be soon outpaced by the unix, root cause analysis, or vice versa. Such procedures would affect the business wars, possibly lead a way to the “third gilded age”, as satire-quoted by Mark Twain in his book entitled ‘The Gilded Age’. Quantum computing has a promising future, yet business leaders should be pre-cautioned of capabilities of the predatory tool.

Conclusion

The article points out the shortcut availability of tool in decrypting, efficient system. It would impose ethical and political risks, although that may not be the case for a long time, or even in our lifetime. It may never happen. Much research is needed to understand the quantum mechanics.

The technology will revolutionize our understand about computation at molecular level. However, will our future IT business evolve into the business of quantum computers? It would make the infrastructure and framework of business complicated, as the quantum theory concerns the very atomic system of our present computer security system. If I was Bill Gates, I would not gamble to make a leap from silicon-dependent computing to subatomic-level computing. Such leap may be imminent danger, due to the unpredictable probability of quantum mechanics.

Update: Revisiting Conclusion

Much have happened since May 2008, especially the scientific community on quantum computing. In October, I was trying to send to a friend in Utah on the article paper and powerpoint presentation on paper. Unfortunately, I was monitored under google and that did not happen. I used other email, which is European-based system in UK, to no avail. My account was suspended immediately; I was soon contacted by an assistant of security advisor in UK via google mail. I was asked to give the permission to give a Berlin-based cyber-security company a green light. That seems ominous.

Then came the European research on quantum-encryption. I read the article, which was recently published by Italian scientists. They claimed to have made the quantum-engineered cryptography, and is near-impossible to crack the encryption. The cryptographic layer has already been secured in the Vatican banking center, or the likes, perhaps even both. Things will be in a rapid advancement in coming months, to my unexpected and grim mood.

In my conclusion paragraph of previous edition, I was embarrassed by my own words. “That may not be the case for a long time, or even in our lifetime. It may never happen.” Those words will be taken out of the cross by the time I wrote the update section. Hmph.