Cryptography at Risk from Quantum Computing

Quantum computing is redefining computational limits by enabling efficient solutions to problems once considered intractable. 
 
While this progress offers major scientific benefits, it also threatens modern cryptographic systems.
  
 
Cryptographically-relevant quantum computers (CRQCs) pose a direct risk to widely used public-key cryptography, including RSA and elliptic curve cryptography (ECC). 
 
 
These systems rely on mathematical problems that can be efficiently solved using Shor’s algorithm, making them vulnerable to quantum attacks.
 
 
ECC is deeply integrated into digital infrastructure, supporting secure communication, authentication, and data integrity across applications such as TLS, secure boot, messaging systems, and IoT devices.
 
 
Cryptocurrencies are particularly exposed due to their dependence on ECC and lack of recovery mechanisms. 
 
 
A single compromised digital signature can result in irreversible losses.
 
Recent research suggests that quantum attacks may require only 1200–1450 logical qubits and minutes to execute, enabling real-time exploitation during blockchain transactions.