Quantum computer systems might crack a typical knowledge encryption method as soon as they’ve 1,000,000 qubits, or quantum bits. Whereas that is nonetheless nicely past the capabilities of present quantum computer systems, this new estimate is 20 occasions decrease than beforehand thought, suggesting the day encryption is cracked is nearer than we expect.

The broadly used RSA algorithm depends on the truth that multiplying two prime numbers to generate a big encryption secret is simple, however discovering these unique prime components when all you will have is the ensuing secret is…