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

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

Why are hackers harvesting encrypted knowledge?

Most fashionable organizations encrypt a number of crucial elements of their operations. The truth is, about eight in 10 companies extensively or partially use enterprise-level encryption for databases, archives, inner networks and web communications. In spite of everything, 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 precise time to strike. Their worries aren’t unfounded — greater than 70% of ransomware assaults now exfiltrate data earlier than encryption. 

The “harvest now, decrypt later” phenomenon in cyberattacks — the place attackers steal encrypted data within the hopes they may finally be capable to decrypt it — is turning into frequent. As quantum computing expertise develops, it should solely develop extra prevalent.

How ‘harvest now, decrypt later’ works

Quantum computer systems make the “harvest now, decrypt later” phenomenon doable. Prior to now, encryption was sufficient to discourage cybercriminals — or no less than make their efforts pointless. Sadly, that’s 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 anxious they may make fashionable ciphers — that means encryption algorithms — ineffective, which has impressed exfiltration-driven cyberattacks. 

Encryption turns knowledge, often known as plaintext, right into a string of random, undecipherable code referred to as ciphertext. Ciphers do that utilizing advanced mathematical formulation which might be technically unattainable to decode with out a decryption key. Nonetheless, quantum computing modifications issues.

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

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

What sorts 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 id 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 programs are not their main focus. They will listen in on the connection between an online browser and a server, learn cross-program communication or intercept data in transit. 

Human assets, 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 spite of everything, each shopper and server-side encryption will quickly be honest sport.

The results of qubits cracking encryption

Firms 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 typical till a sudden surge in account takeovers, id theft, cyberattacks and phishing makes an attempt. 

Authorized points and regulatory fines would seemingly 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 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 weak. Until they discover an alternate, they might must revert to paper-based programs.

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

Whereas the potential for damaged cryptography is alarming, decision-makers mustn’t panic. The common hacker will be unable to get a quantum laptop for years — perhaps even a long time — as a result of they’re extremely expensive, resource-intensive, delicate and susceptible to errors if they aren’t saved in splendid situations.

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

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

Already, a startup based mostly in China just lately unveiled the world’s first consumer-grade transportable quantum computer systems. The Triangulum — the costliest mannequin — presents the ability 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 an alternative of ready till it’s too late. 

Apart from, the typical hacker shouldn’t be the one firms ought to fear about — well-funded risk teams pose a a lot bigger risk. A world the place a nation-state or enterprise competitor will pay 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 just a few 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 requirements. The companies are leveraging the newest strategies to make ciphers quantum computer systems can not crack. Corporations can be clever 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’ll instantly change all workers’ 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 customers ought to anticipate them quickly, stating they’re within the testing part as of 2024. Firms can be clever to undertake options like these.

4. Transfer delicate knowledge

Resolution-makers ought to ask themselves whether or not the data dangerous actors steal will nonetheless be related when it’s decrypted. They need to additionally contemplate the worst-case situation to grasp the danger stage. From there, they’ll determine whether or not or to not transfer delicate knowledge. 

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

Resolution-makers ought to start making ready now

Though quantum-based cryptography cracking continues to be years — perhaps a long time — away, it should have disastrous results as soon as it arrives. Enterprise leaders ought to develop a post-quantum plan now to make sure they aren’t caught abruptly. 

Zac Amos is options editor at ReHack.