Quantum Computers Could Break Cryptography With Just 10,000 Qubits

Scientists warn that quantum computers need significantly fewer qubits to break encryption algorithms than previously believed. According to a recent study, 10,000 qubits could be sufficient to make widely used cryptographic security systems obsolete.

For instance, cracking RSA-2048 encryption, a standard used to protect most digital certificates on the internet, could take just seven months with a 26,000-qubit system.

The reduction in required qubits is attributed to advancements in quantum error correction (QEC) and the robustness of neutral-atom quantum computers.

These findings underscore the urgency of transitioning cryptographic systems toward post-quantum standards.