Yunseong Nam, a PhD candidate in physics, spoke about quantum computing and cybersecurity during the Graduate Student Speaker Series, Oct. 14 in Exley Science Center. His talk was titled “Quantum Computing: Shattering Cybersecurity in One Go.”
A quantum computer is a device that takes advantage of quantum effects, such as superposition and entanglement, to bring about unimaginable computing power, computing power so large, in fact, that, paradoxically, it would exceed the resources of the entire universe if implemented on classical supercomputers.The possibility of creating actual quantum computers is under development. Nam argues that quantum computers are realistic.Nam explained how a quantum computer is capable of cracking a widely employed Internet encryption scheme, the Rivet-Shamir-Adleman (RSA) cryptosystem, posing a serious threat to cybersecurity. The Graduate Student Speaker Series events are open to the entire Wesleyan community. Lunch is included. (Photos by Hannah Norman ’16)
Olivia Drake
Andrew Chatfield
Mike Mavredakis