A type of computing that uses quantum-mechanical effects such as superposition and entanglement to process information in new ways.
Classical computers process bits that are either 0 or 1. Quantum computers use qubits, which can exist in combinations of states and become entangled with each other. For certain problems, quantum algorithms could explore possibilities far more efficiently than classical methods.
Promising application areas include simulating molecules for drug and materials discovery, optimization problems, and some areas of machine learning. Quantum computing also poses a long-term threat to widely used encryption methods, which is why organizations are adopting post-quantum cryptography. Current machines are still noisy and error-prone, and building large, fault-tolerant quantum computers remains a major engineering challenge. Claims of quantum advantage should be read carefully, as they often apply to narrow, specialized tasks.
The process of converting readable data into scrambled ciphertext that only someone with the correct key can decode.
Post-Quantum CryptographyEncryption and digital signature methods designed to resist attacks from future quantum computers while running on today's ordinary hardware.
QubitThe basic unit of information in a quantum computer, which can represent 0, 1, or a superposition of both at once.
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