John Savill's Technical Training walks through the urgent need for quantum-safe cryptography, examining how classical and quantum computing impact security and highlighting actionable steps for organizations and individuals.

What Quantum Safe Is and Why We Need It to Stay Secure

Presenter: John Savill's Technical Training

Introduction

This session examines the landscape of digital security in the context of emerging quantum computing technology. It provides a thorough breakdown of the limitations of classical computing, the disruptive potential of quantum computers, and why organizations must proactively address security threats posed by these advances.

Classical vs Quantum Computing

• Classical Computing: Overview of current computational models and their cryptographic limitations.
• Problems with Classical Computing: Challenges faced when relying on traditional encryption algorithms, including looming vulnerabilities.
• Quantum Computing: Explains how quantum computers function differently and why their future scalability matters for cryptography.

The Security Threat: Why Quantum-Safe?

• Current Encryption at Risk: Algorithms like RSA and ML-DSA rely on mathematical problems that quantum computers could solve efficiently, undermining security.
• Quantum Computers Factor Large Numbers Easily: Classical encryption can be broken by quantum computers running algorithms such as Shor’s algorithm.
• Harvest Now, Decrypt Later: Bad actors may intercept and store encrypted data now, intending to decrypt it when quantum capabilities are available.

Protecting Communications Today

• Quantum-Safe Cryptography: Examines cryptographic algorithms and protocols designed to be resistant to quantum attacks.
• SymCrypt Readiness: Addresses readiness of Microsoft's SymCrypt and the broader efforts within Microsoft to prepare for this transition.
• Recommended Actions: Concrete steps for organizations to assess their cryptographic posture and implement risk mitigation measures.

Timelines and Industry Response

• Industry Awareness: Provides an assessment of current timelines for quantum threats and what enterprises should realistically expect.
• Microsoft Blog: References key updates and guidance from Microsoft regarding post-quantum security (Microsoft article on quantum-safe security).

Additional Resources

• Learning Path for Azure: Azure resources and training
• Certification Content Repository: GitHub materials
• Q&A Guidance: Recommends using platforms like Reddit and Microsoft Community Hub for further questions.

Summary

This video provides a comprehensive yet practical roadmap for anticipating and mitigating the risks introduced by quantum computing. Viewers will understand why quantum-safe cryptography matters and how to start preparing technical controls and business processes now.