The Pentagon in Arlington, Va., as seen on Sept. 17, 2021. (Stefani Reynolds/Bloomberg)
The U.S. Department of Defense's outgoing chief data officer called for the Pentagon to make urgent investments to defend against potential espionage from quantum computers -- nascent technology that could one day break the encryption that protects American secrets.
In his first interview since leaving his post last month, David Spirk, who spent two years in his role, told Bloomberg News that the Pentagon needs to speed up efforts to counter adversaries who are developing military tools supported by advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning and eventually quantum science.
Quantum computing may prove far more able than existing technology to solve mathematical problems at exponentially faster speeds. That could enable operators to unscramble the algorithms that underpin encryption protocols, unlocking an array of sensitive data.
"I don't think that there's enough senior leaders getting their heads around the implications of quantum," Spirk said. "Like AI, I think that's a new wave of compute that when it arrives is going to be a pretty shocking moment to industry and government alike."
"We have to pick up pace because we have competitors who are also attempting to accelerate," he added.
Spirk's comments come amid warnings that U.S. adversaries, particularly China, are aggressively pursuing advanced technologies that could radically accelerate the pace of modern warfare. China is investing in AI and quantum sciences as part of its plan to become an innovation superpower, according to the Pentagon's latest annual report to Congress on China's military power. China is "at or near the lead on numerous science fields," including AI and quantum, it said.
The National Security Agency, meanwhile, said last year that the adversarial use of a quantum computer "could be devastating" to the U.S. and its national security systems. The NSA said it could take 20 years or more to roll out new post-quantum cryptography that would resist such code-cracking.
Tim Gorman, a spokesperson at the Pentagon, said the Department of Defense was taking post-quantum cryptography seriously and coordinating with Congress and across government agencies. He added there was "a significant effort" underway.
A January presidential memo further charged agencies with establishing a timeline for transitioning to quantum resistant cryptography.
Among the efforts underway to bolster defenses against quantum-based attacks, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, known as NIST, is seeking to select new quantum-proof encryption algorithms from seven finalists shortly as part of a global competition.
Jonathan Katz, computer science professor at the University of Maryland who submitted a "post-quantum algorithm" to the NIST competition, said the stakes in the NIST competition were high: an algorithm that later proved vulnerable would be "a disaster." Once a choice is made, the U.S. Department of Defense faces a huge task in upgrading all its software and hardware that features algorithms, he said, adding that included not only servers and laptops but also parts of submarines, tanks, helicopters and weapons systems.
Experts generally assess large-scale quantum computing may be 15 to 20 years away if it is ever even developed, but the Pentagon's Defense Advanced Research Agency, or DARPA, launched a project this February to explore the possibility that a breakthrough could be developed "much sooner."
Joe Altepeter, who manages DARPA's new quantum project, told Bloomberg there was a lot of "hype" over industry claims about the arrival of quantum computing, with several "hardware miracles" still standing in the way. Some of the smartest physicists he knew were divided over whether useful quantum computing would ever exist, Altepeter said, adding that the risk was such that it was important to develop resilient systems.
Spirk said the Pentagon needs to start preparing "now," arguing military applications for quantum computing could be only five to 10 years away. The Pentagon needed to work at the same speed as commercial vendors that are already exploring ways to use quantum-resistant cryptography to safeguard financial and health-care sectors, he said.
If the U.S. doesn't make the right investments in defensive quantum today, "then our concepts around encryption, data security and cybersecurity will be obsolete because the computers will break our cryptography," Spirk said. He added that all the encrypted data that adversaries have already gathered would also risk exposure.
Spirk, a former U.S. Marine, became the first chief data officer at Special Operations Command before he joined the Pentagon. He said he left the chief data officer post after a two-year commitment to rejoin his family in Florida. The departure follows last year's resignation of the U.S. Air Force's first chief software officer, Nicolas Chaillan, who previously told the Financial Times that the U.S. was losing the AI race to China.
Originally posted here:
Pentagon's outgoing data boss warns of quantum cyber threats - Stars and Stripes
- Vortex Power: The Swirl of Light Revolutionizing Quantum Computing - SciTechDaily - June 13th, 2024 [June 13th, 2024]
- Unlock Generous Growth With These 3 Top Quantum Computing Stocks - InvestorPlace - June 13th, 2024 [June 13th, 2024]
- 3 Quantum Computing Stocks That Still Have Sky-High Potential - InvestorPlace - June 13th, 2024 [June 13th, 2024]
- Riverlane, the company making quantum computing useful far sooner than anticipated - Maddyness - June 13th, 2024 [June 13th, 2024]
- Unilever's Alberto Prado on Quantum Computing's Future, Impact on Emerging Tech - AI Business - June 13th, 2024 [June 13th, 2024]
- United Nations Declares 2025 as International Year of Quantum Science and Technology - Quantum Computing Report - June 13th, 2024 [June 13th, 2024]
- New Technique Could Help Build Quantum Computers of the Future - Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (.gov) - June 13th, 2024 [June 13th, 2024]
- Startup Diraq taps GlobalFoundries to forge silicon-based quantum chips - The Register - June 13th, 2024 [June 13th, 2024]
- 3 Quantum Computing Stocks to Turn $100000 Into $1 Million: June Edition - InvestorPlace - June 13th, 2024 [June 13th, 2024]
- Queen Mary Chooses Cryogenic Technology From Oxford Instruments NanoScience to Support Quantum Research - The Quantum Insider - June 13th, 2024 [June 13th, 2024]
- Recurrent quantum embedding neural network and its application in vulnerability detection | Scientific Reports - Nature.com - June 13th, 2024 [June 13th, 2024]
- It's official: United Nations declares 2025 the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology Physics World - physicsworld.com - June 13th, 2024 [June 13th, 2024]
- The 3 Best Quantum Computing Stocks to Buy in June 2024 - InvestorPlace - June 13th, 2024 [June 13th, 2024]
- Chicago Trying to Lure PsiQuantum to Former Steel Plant - The Real Deal - June 13th, 2024 [June 13th, 2024]
- Quantum computer photons create a vortex when they collide - Earth.com - June 13th, 2024 [June 13th, 2024]
- Quantum Computers May Break Bitcoin by 2030, But We Won't Know About It - Cryptonews - June 13th, 2024 [June 13th, 2024]
- The next administration must be ready for new quantum encryption standards, MITRE advises - Nextgov/FCW - June 13th, 2024 [June 13th, 2024]
- Quantum Revolution Living up to Hype, Quantum Summit London - IoT World Today - June 13th, 2024 [June 13th, 2024]
- Quantum internet breakthrough after 'quantum data' transmitted through standard fiber optic cable for 1st time - Livescience.com - June 13th, 2024 [June 13th, 2024]
- The Era of Commercial Quantum Computing Has Begun - Techopedia - June 13th, 2024 [June 13th, 2024]
- Superconducting Quantum Circuit Research Could Bring on Faster, More Reliable Quantum Technologies - The Quantum Insider - June 13th, 2024 [June 13th, 2024]
- European telecoms leading the way in quantum tech adoption, report finds - TNW - June 13th, 2024 [June 13th, 2024]
- Ripple Issues Urgent Warning on Quantum Computing's Threat to Blockchain Security - StreetInsider.com - June 13th, 2024 [June 13th, 2024]
- Simulating Quantum Circuits with Light-Induced Magnetism - AZoQuantum - June 13th, 2024 [June 13th, 2024]
- If You'd Invested $1000 in IonQ Stock a Year Ago, Here's How Much You'd Have Today - MSN - June 13th, 2024 [June 13th, 2024]
- Reaching absolute zero for quantum computing now much quicker thanks to breakthrough refrigerator design - Livescience.com - May 29th, 2024 [May 29th, 2024]
- Why These 3 Quantum Computing Stocks Are Worth the Risk - The Motley Fool - May 29th, 2024 [May 29th, 2024]
- D-Wave Quantum Set to Join Russell 3000 Index - HPCwire - May 29th, 2024 [May 29th, 2024]
- 3 Quantum Computing Stocks to Buy Be Millionaire-Makers: May - InvestorPlace - May 29th, 2024 [May 29th, 2024]
- Amazon taps Finland's IQM for its first EU quantum computing service - TNW - May 29th, 2024 [May 29th, 2024]
- Here Come the Qubits? What You Should Know About the Onset of Quantum Computing - IPWatchdog.com - May 29th, 2024 [May 29th, 2024]
- On Location at IBM Think 2024: The AI Revolution and Quantum Computing Advances - Acceleration Economy - May 29th, 2024 [May 29th, 2024]
- The power of Quantum Computing - The Cryptonomist - May 29th, 2024 [May 29th, 2024]
- ISC 2024 A Few Quantum Gems and Slides from a Packed QC Agenda - HPCwire - May 29th, 2024 [May 29th, 2024]
- D-Wave Introduces New Fast Anneal Feature, Extending Quantum Computing Performance Gains - Yahoo Finance - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- Major First: Quantum Information Produced, Stored, And Retrieved - ScienceAlert - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- Horizon Quantum Computing to Establish First-of-a-Kind Hardware Testbed - The Quantum Insider - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- Quantum Cloud Computing Secured in New Breakthrough at Oxford - TechRepublic - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- Quantum Computing Could be the Next Revolution - Fair Observer - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- Horizon Quantum Computing to Pioneer Multi-Vendor Quantum Hardware Testbed - HPCwire - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- These 10 quantum computing companies have pulled in the most VC cash - PitchBook News & Analysis - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- D-Wave Launches Fast Anneal Feature for Enhanced Quantum Computing Performance - Quantum Computing Report - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- Software Specialist Horizon Quantum to Build First-of-a-Kind Hardware Testbed - HPCwire - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- Illuminating Futures: Celebrating Achievements and Exploring Quantum Computing at This is IT! Event - Royal Examiner - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- Horizon Quantum Computing to Establish First-of-a-Kind Hardware Testbed - The Bakersfield Californian - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- A Weakness in One of the NIST PQC Algorithms Was Not Uncovered After All - Quantum Computing Report - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- Commodore 64 claimed to outperform IBM's quantum system sarcastic researchers say 1 MHz computer is faster ... - Tom's Hardware - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- Quantum computing: a new frontier for the broadcast and media industry - RedShark News - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- 3 Steps Businesses Should Take to Prepare for Quantum Computing Disruption - TechSpective - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- Orientum Publishes 'Quantum Finance Algorithm' Paper on ArXiv - The Quantum Insider - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- Quantum Linear Solvers for Redundant Baseline Calibration - AZoQuantum - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- 'Almost very close' to nuclear weapon: Federal cyber officials brace for quantum computing surprise - Washington Times - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- D-Wave fast anneal extends quantum computing performance ... - eeNews Europe - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- Horizon Quantum Computing to Set Up Its Own Hardware Testbed for Tight Integration Between the Hardware and Software Stacks - Quantum Computing Report - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- Global Quantum Technology Market Research 2024-2029 with Assessment of Companies Focused on Quantum ... - Daily Host News - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- The experimental demonstration of a verifiable blind quantum computing protocol - Phys.org - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- Researchers create 'quantum drums' to store qubits one step closer to groundbreaking internet speed and security - Tom's Hardware - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- Access to burgeoning quantum technology field could be widened by educational model - Phys.org - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- 'Quantum memory' could make the internet super fast and secure - Futurity: Research News - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- Senate bill aims to bring more private sector participation to federal AI innovation - Nextgov/FCW - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- Quantum Computing Leaps Forward with Groundbreaking Error Correction - yTech - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- Microsoft and Quantinuum Pave the Way for Reliable Quantum Computing - yTech - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- Breakthrough in Quantum Information Communication Achieved by Tokyo Researchers - yTech - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- Microsoft Advances in Quantum Computing with Error-Reduction Breakthrough - yTech - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- Quantinuum H2 Paves the Way for Reliable Quantum Computing - yTech - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- Why Quantum Computers Will Never Break Bitcoin - Palm Beach Research Group - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- Microsoft and Quantinuum boast quantum computing breakthrough - DIGIT.FYI - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- Microsoft and Quantinuum announce breakthrough in quantum computing 14 thousand experiments without errors - ITC - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- Revolutionizing Quantum Computing: Breakthroughs in Quantum Error Correction - AZoQuantum - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- Quantum Computing Recharged With Electromagnetic Ion Trap Innovation - SciTechDaily - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- Next-Generation Quantum Leap Achieved by Microsoft and Quantinuum - yTech - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- Microsoft and Quantinuum announce development of next-generation technology that reduces 'noise' by 800 times ... - GIGAZINE - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- BTQ Technologies Corp. Partners with the Australian Quantum Software Network to Advance Quantum Computing and ... - PR Newswire - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- Quantinuum and Microsoft Leap towards Quantum Superiority with Noise Reduction Breakthrough - yTech - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- The 3 Best Quantum Computing Stocks to Buy in Q2 2024 - InvestorPlace - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- What Are the Implications of Quantum Computing for the Future of Data Security? - socPub - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- Cosmic rays, XR, and 'multiverse' quantum computing welcome to EIC's deeptech Scaling Club - TNW - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- Wall Street Favorites: 3 Quantum Computing Stocks with Strong Buy Ratings for February 2024 - InvestorPlace - February 26th, 2024 [February 26th, 2024]
- Never-Repeating Tiles Can Safeguard Quantum Information - Quanta Magazine - February 26th, 2024 [February 26th, 2024]
- Fractional Electrons: MIT's New Graphene Breakthrough Is Shaping the Future of Quantum Computing - SciTechDaily - February 26th, 2024 [February 26th, 2024]