Q-Day sooner than expected? Google accelerates quantum security
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Quantum computers threaten conventional encryption and signature methods. In Mountain View, Q-Day is expected sooner than previously assumed.
The internet giant Google is setting an ambitious timeline for the transition to Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC). Researchers in Mountain View apparently now expect significant progress towards a cryptographically relevant quantum computer (CRQC) as early as 2029 and are accelerating the transition of their products and services. Digital signatures are a particular focus.
Google sees itself as a pioneer in quantum computing, but also in post-quantum cryptography. In fact, the Google Quantum AI research department announced a paradigm shift just a few days ago: instead of only working on superconducting qubits, they will also research quantum computers using neutral atoms [1]. In a self-imposed role model, Google is streamlining its timeline – “in light of progress in hardware, error correction, and resource estimation of quantum computer factorization,” as stated in an article [2].
By 2029, Google's encryption is expected to be quantum-safe, even ahead of the recent recommendation from the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI). The BSI has issued a recommendation for the end of 2031. To achieve its own ambitious goal, Google is working on the quantum security of several products: Android 17 will get post-quantum signature methods [3]. Google Cloud and its in-house browser Chrome already have PQC support.
Nervous Security Researchers
The announcement has the community buzzing. While a well-informed observer of the international crypto scene, in a background conversation with heise security, perceived a certain nervousness, PKI luminary Filippo Valsorda goes a step further. He has revised his position from last year and now believes that post-quantum key exchange should have been implemented “yesterday” and that quantum-safe signatures are urgently important. Designing or even rolling out non-quantum-safe crypto systems is now superfluous, according to Valsorda in a Mastodon post.
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This article was originally published in German [9]. It was translated with technical assistance and editorially reviewed before publication.
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[1] https://www.heise.de/news/Quantencomputer-Google-erforscht-nun-auch-neutrale-Atome-11223827.html?from-en=1
[2] https://blog.google/innovation-and-ai/technology/safety-security/cryptography-migration-timeline/
[3] https://www.heise.de/news/Android-17-Google-sichert-sein-OS-gegen-Quantencomputer-ab-11225969.html?from-en=1
[4] https://pro.heise.de/security/?LPID=39555_HS1L0001_27416_999_0&wt_mc=disp.fd.security-pro.security_pro24.disp.disp.disp
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[9] https://www.heise.de/news/Q-Day-naeher-als-gedacht-Google-drueckt-bei-der-Quantensicherheit-aufs-Tempo-11228038.html
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