There has been significant buzz recently about quantum computers breaking RSA encryption. Let’s clear the air: this is not breaking news. The paper fueling these headlines was submitted in June 2023 and officially published in May 2024 in the Chinese Journal of Computers. Despite claims circulating online, it does not describe breaking a 22-bit RSA key. Instead, it reveals something far more immediate and actionable for those concerned about cryptographic security.
The Real Risk Is Already Here (and It Did Not Start This Week)
The study in question doesn’t rely on futuristic quantum computers or Shor’s algorithm, which is often associated with theoretical quantum threats. Instead, it leverages a quantum annealer (a technology that exists today, built by companies like D-Wave). This makes the findings both practical and urgent.
What Is a Quantum Annealer?
A quantum annealer is a specialized quantum computer designed to tackle optimization problems. Think of it as a machine that searches for the best possible solution in a vast sea of possibilities. By using quantum physics, it can “tunnel” through barriers that slow down traditional algorithms, making it highly effective for specific tasks. When RSA factoring is reframed as an optimization problem, quantum annealing becomes a surprisingly powerful tool.
What Did the Researchers Achieve?
The researchers demonstrated the following:
- Fully Quantum Factoring: They successfully factored a 21-bit RSA number (2,269,753) using a purely quantum annealing approach.
- Hybrid Factoring: They factored a 50-bit RSA number by combining quantum annealing with classical mathematical techniques.
These results didn’t require a universal quantum computer or Shor’s algorithm. They were achieved using commercially available hardware, showcasing a real, tested capability.
Why Does This Matter?
RSA and other public-key cryptosystems are not inherently secure; their security relies on the computational difficulty of factoring large numbers. This study shows that quantum annealing can already attack these systems today, without the scaling limitations that plague other quantum approaches. The technology is here, and it’s running on commercial platforms.
At QuReady, we specialize in preparing companies for exactly this kind of risk. Waiting for headlines about your data being compromised is not a strategy. As we’ve seen, quantum annealing is already capable of cracking RSA with tools that exist today. Post-quantum security is not a future problem: it’s a now problem.
Take Action Today
If your systems still rely on RSA, ECC, or other non-quantum-safe algorithms, now is the time to act. At QuReady, we’re ready to help you transition to post-quantum cryptographic solutions to protect your data against current and emerging threats.
Talk to us today to secure your future.