‘Harvest now, decrypt later’: Why hackers are waiting for quantum computing

Hackers are ready for the second quantum computing breaks cryptography and permits the mass decryption of years of stolen data. In preparation, they’re harvesting much more encrypted knowledge than regular. Here’s what companies can do in response.

Why are hackers harvesting encrypted knowledge?

Most trendy organizations encrypt a number of essential points of their operations. In truth, about eight in 10 businesses extensively or partially use enterprise-level encryption for databases, archives, inner networks and web communications. In any case, it’s a cybersecurity finest follow.

Alarmingly, cybersecurity consultants are rising more and more involved that cybercriminals are stealing encrypted knowledge and ready for the fitting time to strike. Their worries will not be unfounded — greater than 70% of ransomware attacks now exfiltrate data earlier than encryption. 

The “harvest now, decrypt later” phenomenon in cyberattacks — the place attackers steal encrypted data within the hopes they are going to ultimately be capable to decrypt it — is changing into widespread. As quantum computing expertise develops, it can solely develop extra prevalent.

How ‘harvest now, decrypt later’ works

Quantum computer systems make the “harvest now, decrypt later” phenomenon attainable. Prior to now, encryption was sufficient to discourage cybercriminals — or a minimum of make their efforts pointless. Sadly, that’s now not the case.

Whereas classical computer systems function utilizing binary digits — bits — that may both be a one or a zero, their quantum counterparts use quantum bits referred to as qubits. Qubits can exist in two states concurrently, because of superposition. 

Since qubits could also be a one and a zero, quantum computer systems’ processing speeds far outpace the competitors. Cybersecurity consultants are fearful they are going to make trendy ciphers — which means encryption algorithms — ineffective, which has impressed exfiltration-driven cyberattacks. 

Encryption turns knowledge, also referred to as plaintext, right into a string of random, undecipherable code referred to as ciphertext. Ciphers do that utilizing advanced mathematical formulation which can be technically inconceivable to decode and not using a decryption key. Nonetheless, quantum computing adjustments issues.

Whereas a classical pc would take 300 trillion years or extra to decrypt a 2,048-bit Rivest-Shamir-Adleman encryption, a quantum one might crack it in seconds, because of qubits. The catch is that this expertise isn’t broadly out there — solely locations like analysis establishments and authorities labs can afford it.

That doesn’t deter cybercriminals, as quantum computing expertise might change into accessible inside a decade. In preparation, they use cyberattacks to steal encrypted knowledge and plan to decrypt it later.

What varieties of knowledge are hackers harvesting?

Hackers normally steal personally identifiable data like names, addresses, job titles and social safety numbers as a result of they permit identification theft. Account knowledge — like firm bank card numbers or checking account credentials — are additionally extremely sought-after.

With quantum computing, hackers can entry something encrypted — knowledge storage techniques are now not their major focus. They’ll listen in on the connection between an internet browser and a server, learn cross-program communication or intercept data in transit. 

Human sources, IT and accounting departments are nonetheless excessive dangers for the typical enterprise. Nonetheless, they have to additionally fear about their infrastructure, distributors and communication protocols. In any case, each consumer and server-side encryption will quickly be truthful recreation.

The results of qubits cracking encryption

Corporations could not even notice they’ve been affected by an information breach till the attackers use quantum computing to decrypt the stolen data. It might be enterprise as regular till a sudden surge in account takeovers, identification theft, cyberattacks and phishing makes an attempt. 

Authorized points and regulatory fines would possible comply with. Contemplating the typical knowledge breach rose from $4.35 million in 2022 to $4.45 million in 2023 — a 2.3% year-over-year enhance — the monetary losses might be devastating. 

Within the wake of quantum computing, companies can now not depend on ciphers to speak securely, share recordsdata, retailer knowledge or use the cloud. Their databases, archives, digital signatures, web communications, exhausting drives, e-mail and inner networks will quickly be susceptible. Except they discover an alternate, they might need to revert to paper-based techniques.

Why put together if quantum isn’t right here but?

Whereas the potential for damaged cryptography is alarming, decision-makers mustn’t panic. The typical hacker will be unable to get a quantum pc for years — possibly even many years — as a result of they’re extremely pricey, resource-intensive, delicate and vulnerable to errors if they don’t seem to be saved in ultimate circumstances.

To make clear, these delicate machines should keep simply above absolute zero (459 degrees Fahrenheit to be actual) as a result of thermal noise can intervene with their operations. 

Nonetheless, quantum computing expertise is advancing each day. Researchers try to make these computer systems smaller, simpler to make use of and extra dependable. Quickly, they might change into accessible sufficient that the typical particular person can personal one. 

Already, a startup primarily based in China just lately unveiled the world’s first consumer-grade moveable quantum computer systems. The Triangulum — the costliest mannequin — provides the power of three qubits for roughly $58,000. The 2 cheaper two-qubit variations retail for lower than $10,000.

Whereas these machines pale compared to the powerhouse computer systems present in analysis establishments and government-funded labs, they show that the world shouldn’t be far-off from mass-market quantum computing expertise. In different phrases, decision-makers should act now as a substitute of ready till it’s too late. 

Moreover, the typical hacker shouldn’t be the one firms ought to fear about — well-funded menace teams pose a a lot bigger menace. A world the place a nation-state or enterprise competitor pays for quantum computing as a service to steal mental property, monetary knowledge or commerce secrets and techniques could quickly be a actuality. 

What can enterprises do to guard themselves?

There are a couple of steps enterprise leaders ought to soak up preparation for quantum computing cracking cryptography. 

1. Undertake post-quantum ciphers

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Safety Company (CISA) and the Nationwide Institute of Requirements and Know-how (NIST) quickly plan to launch post-quantum cryptographic standards. The companies are leveraging the newest strategies to make ciphers quantum computer systems can’t crack. Companies can be sensible to undertake them upon launch. 

2. Improve breach detection

Indicators of compromise — indicators that present a community or system intrusion occurred — might help safety professionals react to knowledge breaches swiftly, probably making knowledge ineffective to the attackers. For instance, they will instantly change all staff’ passwords in the event that they discover hackers have stolen account credentials.

3. Use a quantum-safe VPN

A quantum-safe digital non-public community (VPN) protects knowledge in transit, stopping exfiltration and eavesdropping. One skilled claims shoppers ought to count on them quickly, stating they are in the testing phase as of 2024. Corporations can be sensible to undertake options like these.

4. Transfer delicate knowledge

Choice-makers ought to ask themselves whether or not the knowledge dangerous actors steal will nonetheless be related when it’s decrypted. They need to additionally take into account the worst-case situation to know the danger degree. From there, they will resolve whether or not or to not transfer delicate knowledge. 

One possibility is to switch the information to a closely guarded or always monitored paper-based submitting system, stopping cyberattacks completely. The extra possible answer is to retailer it on an area community not related to the general public web, segmenting it with safety and authorization controls.

Choice-makers ought to start getting ready now

Though quantum-based cryptography cracking continues to be years — possibly many years — away, it can have disastrous results as soon as it arrives. Enterprise leaders ought to develop a post-quantum plan now to make sure they don’t seem to be caught abruptly. 

Zac Amos is options editor at ReHack.