Quantum computing is evolving from the theoretical to the practical.
Today, several quantum computers at global institutions can complete
certain tasks orders of magnitude faster than any classical supercomputer.
Although quantum computers’ current abilities are more demonstrative
than immediately useful, their trajectory suggests that in the coming
decades quantum computers will likely revolutionize numerous industries—from pharmaceuticals to materials science—and eventually undermine all popular current public-key encryption methods and plausibly boost the speed and power of AI.
China has recently emerged as a major player in quantum computing.
Since the mid-2010s, the Chinese government has publicly identified quantum computing as a key strategic technology for its economy and national security.
China has leveraged robust human capital, monetary investment, and policy support to successfully narrow its admitted gap with the United States’ growing quantum abilities.
Booz Allen analyzed how China’s emergent quantum-computing capabilities may shape its cyber operations. This paper evaluates the state of quantum computing today globally and in China and projects when different expected quantum-computing capabilities may become possible. The report then looks at these capabilities through the lens of Chinese economic and national security priorities to anticipate changing targets and objectives of Chinese state-aligned cyber operations.
We assessed these issues to help CISOs manage risk related to an
adversary with top-tier quantum-computing capabilities. Quantum
computing is non-intuitive; understanding its security impact is challenging, and its future development timeline is murky. Our research found that China’s current capabilities and long-term goals related to quantum computing will very likely shape the near-term targets and objectives of its cyber-enabled espionage. The more CISOs know about these emerging risks, the better able they will be to address them in strategic risk-mitigation plans.
Chinese Threats in the Quantum Era (Booz Allen Hamilton)
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