[{"command":"add_css","data":[{"rel":"stylesheet","media":"all","href":"\/sites\/default\/files\/css\/css_-kTcRwkqPhQLsqEvdSSyU2XZ3CV5VEleXoE3_xZi2cg.css?delta=0\u0026language=mt\u0026theme=hm_theme\u0026include=eJxLzi9K1U8pKi1IzNErSa0oSSxKTdQtSi3OrEoFAJQ3Cqw"}]},{"command":"openDialog","selector":"#drupal-modal","settings":null,"data":"\u003Cdiv id=\u0022republish_modal_form\u0022\u003E\u003Cform class=\u0022modal-form-example-modal-form ecl-form\u0022 data-drupal-selector=\u0022modal-form-example-modal-form\u0022 action=\u0022\/mt\/article\/modal\/13784\u0022 method=\u0022post\u0022 id=\u0022modal-form-example-modal-form\u0022 accept-charset=\u0022UTF-8\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHorizon articles can be republished for free under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) licence.\u003C\/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003EYou must give appropriate credit. We ask you to do this by:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n      1) Using the original journalist\u0027s byline\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n      2) Linking back to our original story\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n      3) Using the following text in the footer: This article was originally published in \u003Ca href=\u0027#\u0027\u003EHorizon, the EU Research and Innovation magazine\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003ESee our full republication guidelines \u003Ca href=\u0027\/horizon-magazine\/republish-our-stories\u0027\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003EHTML for this article, including the attribution and page view counter, is below:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022js-form-item form-item js-form-type-textarea form-item-body-content js-form-item-body-content ecl-form-group ecl-form-group--text-area form-no-label ecl-u-mv-m\u0022\u003E\n        \n\u003Cdiv\u003E\n  \u003Ctextarea data-drupal-selector=\u0022edit-body-content\u0022 aria-describedby=\u0022edit-body-content--description\u0022 id=\u0022edit-body-content\u0022 name=\u0022body_content\u0022 rows=\u00225\u0022 cols=\u002260\u0022 class=\u0022form-textarea resize-vertical ecl-text-area\u0022\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ECodemakers race to secure the internet as quantum threat looms\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHow do you outsmart a computer that could soon eclipse anything we have ever built? That is the challenge facing researchers who are working to build up our defences against the coming age of quantum computing.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EQuantum computers promise a giant leap in computational power, but they will also bring risks. Their code-breaking capabilities could enable governments or criminals to intercept online communications and steal sensitive data.\u0026nbsp;The threat is not a distant one.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAccording to Professor Marcos Curty, a\u0026nbsp;leading expert in quantum communication and cryptography, there is a reasonable probability that the first such computers could be switched on within the next 10 to 15 years. \u0026nbsp;We need to start preparing now.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe want to be sure that messages can continue to be sent securely without someone being able to access that information, either now or in the near future,\u201d he said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ETraining for tomorrow\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECurty is a communications engineering professor at\u0026nbsp;the University of Vigo in Spain and the scientific director of the Vigo Quantum Communication Center (VQCC) based there.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\u0022text-center text-blue font-bold text-2xl w-full lg:w-1\/2 border-2 border-blue p-12 my-8 lg:m-12 lg:-ml-16 float-left\u0022\u003E\n  \u003Cspan class=\u0022text-5xl rotate-180\u0022\u003E\u201c\u003C\/span\u003E\n  \u003Cp class=\u0022font-serif italic\u0022\u003EWe want to be sure that messages can continue to be sent securely without someone being able to access that information.\u003C\/p\u003E\n  \u003Cfooter\u003E\n    \u003Ccite class=\u0022not-italic font-normal text-sm text-black\u0022\u003EMarcos Curty, QSI\u003C\/cite\u003E\n  \u003C\/footer\u003E\n\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\n\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPart-funded by the EU, the VQCC officially started in January 2022. It is a key node in the European Quantum Communications Infrastructure \u2013 the EU\u2019s flagship effort to build a\u0026nbsp;secure quantum communication infrastructure across Europe.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe aim is to make Vigo an international hub for quantum-safe communications. In line with this ambition, Curty is coordinating an EU-funded training network called\u0026nbsp;Quantum\u2011Safe Internet (QSI) to develop quantum-resistant cryptography and quantum key distribution technologies.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBringing together researchers from five EU countries, as well as from Canada, Japan, Switzerland, the UK and the US, the network intends to train young cryptographers for the challenges of a quantum computing world.\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EThe clock is ticking\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EQuantum computers may still be a few years off, but the risks are already present.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cOne of our biggest concerns with cryptography is the \u2018store now, decrypt later\u2019 concept,\u201d said Silvia Ritsch, a PhD candidate at Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands. \u201cSomeone could store your encrypted communications today and wait until they have the tools to access them in the future.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe idea is simple, yet serious. Third parties can intercept and store encrypted data now, and wait until more powerful decryption tools, such as\u0026nbsp;quantum computers, are available in the future. Once they have those tools, they can go back and\u0026nbsp;decrypt the stored data, which may still be sensitive or valuable.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat is where cryptographers come in. They study, design and test new methods for protecting data. Their role will take on added importance in the context of quantum computing.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAccording to Curty, upgrading the digital infrastructure that protects communications could take five to seven years, making early preparation and improvements in cryptography essential.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EEvolving tools for evolving technology\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECodes are not new.\u0026nbsp;Julius Caesar used a simple alphabet-based cipher to conceal military information. Over time, these simple systems have evolved into the complex cryptographic methods we rely on today, protecting everything from online payments to personal health records.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cProtecting company secrets from foreign digital spying will become even more relevant in future,\u201d said Curty.\u0026nbsp;\u201cAnd concerns about personal privacy have become more prominent, especially following recent whistleblower revelations about mass surveillance.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EToday\u2019s encryption systems rely on mathematical puzzles that are easy to solve with a private key, but extremely difficult without one. These puzzles form the backbone of secure online communication. But as quantum computing capabilities develop, they may become easier to crack.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere are two possible solutions: quantum cryptography, based on quantum mechanics, and post-quantum cryptography, relying on advanced mathematical algorithms.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EThe quantum puzzle\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnother member of the QSI team is Alex Grilo, an experienced cryptography researcher with the French National Centre for Scientific Research based at the Sorbonne University in Paris, France. He specialises in constructing quantum public-key encryption and secret-sharing protocols, and warns of the potential dangers.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIf a malicious party breaks our current cryptography using a quantum computer, all our private information is suddenly vulnerable,\u201d\u0026nbsp;he said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat\u2019s the bad news.\u0026nbsp;The good side to quantum is that it can also offer solutions to this problem.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EQuantum cryptography uses the principles of quantum mechanics to enable secure communication. One advantage of quantum systems is that information cannot be measured or copied without changing it, meaning eavesdropping attempts are detectable.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\u0022text-center text-blue font-bold text-2xl w-full lg:w-1\/2 border-2 border-blue p-12 my-8 lg:m-12 lg:-ml-16 float-left\u0022\u003E\n  \u003Cspan class=\u0022text-5xl rotate-180\u0022\u003E\u201c\u003C\/span\u003E\n  \u003Cp class=\u0022font-serif italic\u0022\u003EOne of our biggest concerns with cryptography is the \u0026#039;store now, decrypt later\u0026#039; concept.\u003C\/p\u003E\n  \u003Cfooter\u003E\n    \u003Ccite class=\u0022not-italic font-normal text-sm text-black\u0022\u003ESilvia Ritsch, QSI\u003C\/cite\u003E\n  \u003C\/footer\u003E\n\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\n\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cAny attempt by an eavesdropper to access information encoded in a quantum state will inevitably disturb the state,\u201d said Curty.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe method uses a string of light pulses which act like an advanced Morse code that cannot be intercepted without being disrupted.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIf you try to copy a quantum particle, you will disturb the particle,\u201d explained Alessandro Marcomini, a PhD student at the University of Vigo. His research focuses on using quantum systems to securely share cryptographic keys, rather than the message itself.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPost-quantum cryptography, on the other hand, does not rely on quantum physics, but instead develops new mathematical algorithms designed to be difficult for quantum computers to solve. This is the area where Ritsch has focused her doctoral research.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cQuantum computers work very differently from classical computers, so it requires that we really think differently about the problems,\u201d she said. This involves designing non-linear problems and paradigm shifts that puzzle quantum computers.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EBuilding a global defence\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EClearly, this is an issue of global concern, and international exchange and collaboration are central to the work of the QSI team, not just within Europe, but also beyond.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERitsch recently visited the University of Amsterdam to deepen her cryptography expertise. In 2024, Marcomini spent three months at the University of Toyama in Japan, where he worked alongside Japanese experts in quantum communication. A further exchange is planned in 2025.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBoth Marcomini and Grilo will team up with Japanese partners to present their work at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan. Through talks in Japanese and English, interactive demonstrations and games for children, they aim to raise awareness about quantum threats and showcase the creative minds working to counter them.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EQuantum computers may still be a decade away from widespread use, but the race to secure the internet has already begun.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EResearch in this article was funded by the Marie Sk\u0142odowska-Curie Actions (MSCA). The views of the interviewees don\u2019t necessarily reflect those of the European Commission. If you liked this article, please consider sharing it on social media.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022text-center bg-bluelightest p-12 my-12 -mx-16\u0022\u003E\n  \u003Ch3 class=\u0022font-sans font-bold text-blue uppercase text-lg mb-8\u0022\u003EShowcasing EU research at the World Expo\u003C\/h3\u003E\n  \u003Cspan class=\u0022inline-block w-1\/6 h-1 bg-blue mb-8\u0022\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\n  \u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EOsaka, Japan\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E13 April \u2013 13 October\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\u0022text-align:justify !important;\u0022\u003EThis summer, millions of people from around the world will head to Osaka, Japan, for \u003Cstrong\u003EExpo 2025\u003C\/strong\u003E. At this global gathering, countries and regions will share how they\u2019re tackling some of today\u2019s biggest challenges, from sustainability and digital connectivity to inclusivity and security.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\u0022text-align:justify !important;\u0022\u003EThe central theme of this year\u2019s event is \u003Cstrong\u003EDesigning Future Society for Our Lives\u003C\/strong\u003E. Visitors will get a chance to see how \u003Cstrong\u003EEU-funded research\u003C\/strong\u003E is helping shape that future. QSI will be featured during the \u003Cstrong\u003EPeace, Human Security and Dignity\u003C\/strong\u003E thematic week, which runs from 1 August to 12 August. The EU\u2019s \u003Cstrong\u003ENurturing Tomorrow\u003C\/strong\u003E pavilion reflects Europe\u2019s commitment to building a greener, more connected and inclusive world.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\u0022text-align:justify !important;\u0022\u003EThe EU pavilion is hosting exhibitions, talks and interactive experiences that spotlight \u003Cstrong\u003Ecutting-edge EU research and innovation projects\u003C\/strong\u003E \u2013 all aimed at solving real-world problems and building international cooperation. Whether you\u2019re curious about the future of clean energy, digital tech, or inclusive design, there\u2019s something for everyone.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\u0022text-align:justify !important;\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EVirtual visit\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003ECan\u2019t go to Osaka? 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