Ideas worth spreading

In the war for information, will quantum computers defeat cryptographers?

2,285,527 views |

Craig Costello |

TEDxSydney

• May 2019

In this glimpse into our technological future, cryptographer Craig Costello discusses the world-altering potential of quantum computers, which could shatter the limits set by today's machines -- and give code breakers a master key to the digital world. See how Costello and his fellow cryptographers are racing to reinvent encryption and secure the internet.

In this glimpse into our technological future, cryptographer Craig Costello discusses the world-altering potential of quantum computers, which could shatter the limits set by today's machines -- and give code breakers a master key to the digital world. See how Costello and his fellow cryptographers are racing to reinvent encryption and secure the internet.

This talk was presented to a local audience at TEDxSydney, an independent event. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

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About the speaker

Craig Costello

See speaker profile

Craig Costello uses mathematics to secure the digital world, both against the threats that exist today and those that may exist in the future.

Microsoft Research Podcast | Microsoft, 2019 | Listen

"News from the front in the post-quantum crypto wars with Dr. Craig Costello"

A longer conversation about my work on post-quantum cryptography.

Simon Singh | Anchor, 2000 | Book

The Code Book: The Science of Secrecy from Ancient Egypt to Quantum Cryptography

Singh's captivating read details the historic battle between codemakers and codebreakers, from Queen Mary of the Scots and the WWII Enigma code to public key cryptography and the quantum codebreakers of the future.

Daniel J. Bernstein | Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg, 2009 | Book

"Introduction to post-quantum cryptography"

Bernstein's brief chapter is an excellent starting point on post-quantum cryptography, written by one of the pioneers of the field.

Scott Aaronson | Cambridge University Press, 2013 | Book

Quantum Computing since Democritus

Scott Aaronson's book is a fun exploration of quantum computing, and his informal tone makes it much more entertaining and easier to read other books on the topic. Nevertheless, for the most part it is not for the mathematically faint-at-heart.

National Institute of Standards and Technology | Article

"Post-Quantum Cryptography"

The USA's National Institute of Standards and Technology is currently leading a worldwide effort to standardize post-quantum cryptography. Sixty-nine submissions were received in 2017; of these, 26 advanced to the second round and are currently under scrutiny from codebreakers around the world.

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This talk was presented to a local audience at TEDxSydney, an independent event. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Read more about TEDx.