A Survey on the Impacts of Quantum Computers on Information Security

Abstract

Quantum computers differ from traditional computers because unlike traditional computers that use and process information in bits (0 or 1), the unit of information in quantum computers is the quantum bit, or qubit, that can represent additional states beyond ones and zeros at the same time. The additional states called superimposition and entanglement facilitate phenomenal processing speed of quantum computers. The emergence of quantum computers has raised many concerns in various areas of information security. This paper employs a literature survey methodology to elucidate the positive and negative impacts of quantum computers on information security. This paper further addresses the concern that quantum computers will negatively impact information security by examining all recommended information security and privacy controls of the NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5 catalog of controls. Furthermore, the paper briefly outlines the recent work towards quantum-resistant standards.