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Vulnerability of blockchain technologies to quantum attacks

Kearney, Joseph, Pérez-Delgado, Carlos A (2021) Vulnerability of blockchain technologies to quantum attacks. Array, 10 . Article Number 100065. ISSN 2590-0056. (doi:10.1016/j.array.2021.100065) (KAR id:93781)

Abstract

Quantum computation represents a threat to many cryptographic protocols in operation today. It has been esti- mated that by 2035, there will exist a quantum computer capable of breaking the vital cryptographic scheme RSA2048. Blockchain technologies rely on cryptographic protocols for many of their essential sub-routines. Some of these protocols, but not all, are open to quantum attacks. Here we analyze the major blockchain-based cryp- tocurrencies deployed today—including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin and ZCash, and determine their risk exposure to quantum attacks. We finish with a comparative analysis of the studied cryptocurrencies and their underlying blockchain technologies and their relative levels of vulnerability to quantum attacks.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1016/j.array.2021.100065
Uncontrolled keywords: Quantum computing, Blockchains, Bitcoin, Ethereum, Cybersecurity
Subjects: Q Science > QA Mathematics (inc Computing science) > QA 75 Electronic computers. Computer science
Q Science > QA Mathematics (inc Computing science) > QA 76 Software, computer programming, > QA76.76 Computer software
Q Science > QC Physics > QC174.12 Quantum theory
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Computing, Engineering and Mathematical Sciences > School of Computing
University-wide institutes > Institute of Cyber Security for Society
Depositing User: Carlos Perez Delgado
Date Deposited: 30 Mar 2022 12:09 UTC
Last Modified: 31 Mar 2022 13:35 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/93781 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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