Infosec experts are debunking claims that Chinese researchers have successfully cracked RSA encryption using quantum computers from D-Wave. The researchers from Shanghai University published a paper titled “Quantum Annealing Public Key Cryptographic Attack Algorithm Based on D-Wave Advantage,” outlining two methods to break RSA encryption using quantum annealing, a process utilized in D-Wave systems and cloud services.

While the paper was initially released in May and primarily written in Chinese, recent media reports have sparked interest in the infosec community. However, encryption experts are cautioning that the devil lies in the details of the research. Rob Joyce, former director of cybersecurity at the U.S. National Security Agency, dismissed the claims as “totally overblown,” stating his views on social media platform X. Similarly, Frederic Jacobs from Apple’s Security Engineering and Architecture team emphasized that the research does not pose an immediate threat to the practical security of RSA encryption.

Avesta Hojjati, head of research and development at DigiCert, echoed the sentiment that there is no reason to panic about quantum computing-powered attacks on modern encryption algorithms based on the recent Chinese research findings. He emphasized that while the research demonstrates the potential threat of quantum computing to classical encryption, the attack was conducted on a 22-bit key – significantly shorter than the commonly used 2048- or 4096-bit keys. Hojjati emphasized that quantum computing has not yet reached a stage where it can effectively break current encryption standards.

A spokesperson from D-Wave also weighed in on the discussion, stating that the recent research does not represent a groundbreaking breakthrough in capability but rather builds on previous work related to using annealing quantum computing to factor small numbers. The spokesperson emphasized that breaking modern encryption would require quantum processors of a significantly larger scale than what is currently available, ensuring that there is no immediate threat to encryption in the foreseeable future.

The concerns surrounding quantum computing’s potential to break encryption have led to the development of new cryptographic protocols by various technology companies and organizations. Apple, for instance, recently unveiled PQ3, a post-quantum cryptographic protocol for iMessage, as a preemptive measure against potential quantum threats.

Overall, while the Chinese research on encryption attacks using quantum computing has garnered attention, experts in the field emphasize the need for caution and nuanced understanding of the practical implications. The consensus among industry professionals is that while quantum computing holds potential threats to encryption in the future, the current state of technology does not pose an immediate risk to widely used encryption standards. As advancements in quantum computing continue, the development of robust encryption protocols remains crucial to ensuring the security of digital communications and data protection.

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