21 April 2018

The Machine That Can Never Be Hacked: ‘Random Number Generator’ Is Created Using Quantum Physics — And, Even Supercomputers Can’t Steal Its Data


Tim Collins posted an April 12, 2018 article, with the title above, in London’s the DailyMail.com. Mr. Collins begins by noting that “random number generators are never truly random. Most, rely on mathematical formulas to produce their sequences; and, these formulas can be uncovered by supercomputers,” he wrote. “But now, scientists say they have created a generator, using the weird behavior of quantum mechanics, which they believe really is unpredictable,” Mr. Collins noted. “The technology could lead to new encryption methods that are unbreakable using traditional ‘brute force,’ trial-and-error methods.”

The Daily Mail notes that the breakthrough was made by researchers at the National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST), in Gaithersburg, Maryland.

“Our quantum source and protocol is like a fail safe. We’re sure that no one can predict our numbers,” said Peter Bierhorst, a NIST mathematician. The NIST team’s findings and full report is posted in the Journal Nature.

Quantum, super-computing, and quantum encryption have somewhat analogous to the search for the elusive city of El Darado or the ‘Lost City of Z.’ But, advancements in artificial intelligence, big data mining, and machine learning are super-charging this field; and, it would seem that quantum encryption is nigh. Indeed, China claims it is about a tenth of the way towards building a quantum, ‘unhackable’ communications network in space; and, one would have to assume that Russia, among others, is also pushing the boundaries in this domain.

This is an area ripe for strategic surprise. Let’s hope we’re war-gaming potential Black Swan scenarios and outcomes that would be strategically disadvantageous for us; and, some possible courses of action to mitigate any strategic surprises in this space. RCP, fortunascorner.com

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