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Professor Massimiliano Sala of the University of Trento in Italy recently discussed the future of blockchain technology as it relates to encryption and quantum computing with the crew at Ripple as part of the companys ongoing university lecture series.

Salas discussion focused on the potential threat posed by quantum computers as the technology matures. According to the professor, current encryption methods could be easy for tomorrows quantum computers to solve, thus putting entire blockchains at risk.

Per Sala:

What the professor is referring to is a hypothetical paradigm called Q-day, a point at which quantum computers become sufficiently powerful and available for bad actors to break classical encryption methods.

While this would have far-reaching implications for any field where data security is important including emergency services, infrastructure, banking and defense it could theoretically devastate the world of cryptocurrency and blockchain.

Specifically, Sala warned that all classical public-key cryptosystems should be replaced with counterparts secure against quantum attacks. The idea here is that a future quantum computer or quantum attack algorithm could crack the encryption on these keys using mathematical brute force.

It bears mention that Bitcoin, the worlds most popular cryptocurrency and blockchain, would fall under this category.

While there currently exists no practical quantum computer capable of such a feat, governments and science institutions around the globe have been preparing for Q-day as if its an eventuality. For his part, Sala said that such an event may not be imminent. However, physicists at dozens of academic and commercial laboratories have demonstrated breakthroughs that have led many in the field to believe such systems could arrive within a matter of years.

Ultimately, Sala said hes satisfied with the progress being made in the sector and recommends that blockchain developers continue to work with encryption experts who understand the standards and innovations surrounding quantum-proofing modern systems.

Related: Harvard built hacker-proof quantum network in Boston using existing fiber cable

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Ripple publishes math prof's warning: 'Public-key cryptosystems should be replaced' - Cointelegraph