@medium.com
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Medium is currently hosting a series of articles that delve into the core concepts and practical applications of cryptography. These articles aim to demystify complex topics such as symmetric key cryptography, also known as secret key or private key cryptography, where a single shared key is used for both encryption and decryption. This method is highlighted for its speed and efficiency, making it suitable for bulk data encryption, though it primarily provides confidentiality and requires secure key distribution. The resources available are designed to cater to individuals with varying levels of expertise, offering accessible guides to enhance their understanding of secure communication and cryptographic systems.
The published materials offer detailed explorations of cryptographic techniques, including AES-256 encryption and decryption. AES-256, which stands for Advanced Encryption Standard with a 256-bit key size, is a symmetric encryption algorithm renowned for its high level of security. Articles break down the internal mechanics of AES-256, explaining the rounds of transformation and key expansion involved in the encryption process. These explanations are presented in both technical terms for those with a deeper understanding and in layman's terms to make the concepts accessible to a broader audience. In addition to theoretical explanations, the Medium articles also showcase the practical applications of cryptography. One example provided is the combination of OSINT (Open Source Intelligence), web, crypto, and forensics techniques in CTF (Capture The Flag) challenges. These challenges offer hands-on experience in applying cryptographic principles to real-world scenarios, such as identifying the final resting place of historical figures through OSINT techniques. The series underscores the importance of mastering cryptography in the evolving landscape of cybersecurity, equipping readers with the knowledge to secure digital communications and protect sensitive information. References :
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@www.iansresearch.com
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The increasing capabilities of quantum computers are posing a significant threat to current encryption methods, potentially jeopardizing the security of digital assets and the Internet of Things. Researchers at Google Quantum AI are urging software developers and encryption experts to accelerate the implementation of next-generation cryptography, anticipating that quantum computers will soon be able to break widely used encryption standards like RSA. This urgency is fueled by new estimates suggesting that breaking RSA encryption may be far easier than previously believed, with a quantum computer containing approximately 1 million qubits potentially capable of cracking it. Experts recommend that vulnerable systems should be deprecated after 2030 and disallowed after 2035.
Last week, Craig Gidney from Google Quantum AI published research that significantly lowers the estimated quantum resources needed to break RSA-2048. Where previous estimates projected that cracking RSA-2048 would require around 20 million qubits and 8 hours of computation, the new analysis reveals that it could be done in under a week using fewer than 1 million noisy qubits. This more than 95% reduction in hardware requirements is a seismic shift in the projected timeline for "Q-Day," the hypothetical moment when quantum computers can break modern encryption. RSA encryption, used in secure web browsing, email encryption, VPNs, and blockchain systems, relies on the difficulty of factoring large numbers into their prime components. Quantum computers, leveraging Shor's algorithm, can exponentially accelerate this process. Recent innovations, including Approximate Residue Arithmetic, Magic State Cultivation, Optimized Period Finding with Ekerå-Håstad Algorithms, and Yoked Surface Codes & Sparse Lookups, have collectively reduced the physical qubit requirement to under 1 million and allow the algorithm to complete in less than 7 days. References :
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