Cryptography Apocalypse: Preparing for the Day When Quantum Computing Breaks Today's Crypto

This book was a very enjoyable read. As someone who works in cyber security and has had a growing interest in learning more about QCing and how it will effect today's cryptography this book looked very interesting.The book gives a great intro and basic high level explanation of quantum mechanics and how they relate to the QC. Also gives explanation of past and current cryptography. The really valuable portion of this book is the last chapter which walks the reader through how a security professional would go about planning and preparing NOW for this "cryptography apocalypse" and how to bring this to the attention of upper management.Overall I would say this is a MUST READ for IT professionals ESPECIALLY cyber security engineers and a very enjoyable read for anyone interested in quantum computers.

Roger Grimes does a great job in explaining to the layman, what Quantum Computing is. He then takes you on a journey as to how Quantum Computing will be used to break various forms of encryption. He also lets you know that the sky isn't falling (just yet) because there are steps you can take to keep your data encrypted (for now).It's a well written book that you won't want to put down. I found the book very informative and told in a way that makes you want to keep reading. Well done!

This book is exactly what I was looking for in trying to better understand quantum's role in the future (and present) of cryptography which is at the heart of modern cyber security. The book breaks down Quantum mechanics is a very easy to understand primer with good details on the hardware configurations for Quantum Computers. It then details cryptography in exhaustive detail yet breaking it down in very simple to follow chapters and sub-chapters. It's a great read and will also continue to function as a reference book in my daily I.T. work.

September 3, 1967 is a day known as Dagen H (H day) in Sweden. On that day, all car traffic was switched from driving on the left-hand side of the road to the right side. It was the most significant logistical event to date, in the history of Sweden.In the not too distant future, we may have what could be known as Q Day—the day in which quantum cryptography renders large swaths of traditional cryptography broken. In Cryptography Apocalypse: Preparing for the Day When Quantum Computing Breaks Today's Crypto (Wiley 978-1-119-61822-5), author Roger Grimes has written a remarkable book on how to prepare for that fateful day.A few years ago, at RSA Conference, I asked Dr. Jane Melia of QuintessenceLabs, a quantum cryptography hardware, and software provider, why firms should consider purchasing their expensive products. She offered several reasons, one of which is that it was a hedge against broad quantum cryptography becoming mainstream, which would render much of a firm's secrets, quite public. How long that hedge will be is anyone's guess. But everyone agrees that it is inevitable.While quantum mechanics is weird and quite unintuitive, Grimes does a great job of explaining it in layman's terms. He provides an excellent and readable introduction to the various areas of quantum mechanics and quantum physics.There is a perception that once quantum computing becomes fully workable, it will break all cryptography. The book makes it clear that such is not that case, and details what quantum computers will be able to break, and what they won't be able to. In short, quantum computers will be able to break any cipher algorithm whose security relies on problems related to integer factorization, discrete logarithm, elliptic-curve or any other closely related mathematical problems. What quantum computers won't be able to break are symmetric ciphers such as AES, newer integrity hashes such as SHA-2 and SHA-3. The book lists in detail what ciphers and algorithms are at risk.While Dagen H happened overnight, Grimes writes that most changes won't happen instantly, but will occur across a multitude of timelines based on different use cases and applications. Some will be in weeks, others in months and years. But far-reaching monumental changes are coming.The first part of the book is introductory and theoretical, but the rest of the book is highly practical. Grimes lays out the various use cases and concrete steps one needs to take to ensure they are not blindsided by the upcoming advent of quantum cryptography. One may take the naïve approach to throw out all of their quantum vulnerable crypto and replace it with quantum-resistant solutions. But Grimes writes that one has to approach that method with caution for several reasons. Rushing prematurely into the world of quantum cryptography will likely not make things much better.To that, the book details how one should adequately prepare for the quantum apocalypse. It lists four major post-quantum mitigation phases and six major post-quantum mitigation project steps. It also mentions numerous vendors currently active in the quantum cryptography space.The question everyone in information security has to ask is this: Will your organization be protected the day a quantum computer breaks encryption? For those who want to answer that in the positive, Cryptography Apocalypse has all that you need to know to answer in the positive. The book provides the reader with nearly everything they need to know on the topic and is an essential and unique reference on the subject.

First: I like Roger's writing style. Conversational and easy to read; Roger can take very complex concepts and present them simply.Second: Quantum computers will have a huge impact on the future. What transistors did to tubes and silicone chips did to transistors probably doesn't approach the order of magnitud what quantum computers will do to regular computers. They're not here yet but they're just around the corner and will quickly obsolete many standard security best practices. My take-away from this book is that you dont necessarily need to know HOW quantum computers work but you do need to know THAT they work and how plan accordingly. It's interesting that what causes the cryptography apocalypse might be it's resurrection.

Cryptography Apocalypse is a phenomenal read for anyone that wants to learn about Quantum Computers and how to prepare for the day of reckoning that's dead ahead. Quantum Supremacy is something everyone needs to understand how the post Quantum-era will impact your life and how it impacts America, both good and bad. Roger Grimes makes the complexity of Quantum Computers easy to understand and fun to read.Ron CobyAuthor of Discover the Upside of Down

Good one!