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Virtual Private Network PureVPN is introducing a quantum-resistant feature on its OpenVPN protocol.
PureVPN has partnered with Quantinuum to deploy Quantum-Resistant Encryption Keys – the first part of its quantum-resistant capability. Using Quantinuum’s cyber platform, Quantum Origin, PureVPN has been able to create and deploy encryption keys that are generated using a verifiable quantum process, which are more secure than keys from unverified, classical processes.
The technology will help future-proof PureVPN users against threats to their data and privacy as quantum computers gain more and more momentum. With the deployment of quantum-resistant encryption keys, PureVPN users will be able to enjoy the added advantage of strengthened privacy and anonymity on all devices, enhanced remote work security, safer online banking and crypto transactions and an added layer of protection from illegal surveillance. This layer of protection will carry on through when quantum computers become more accessible and commercial.
The feature will be initially rolled out along with split tunneling and obfuscation features in the US, the UK, Australia, Canada, Germany and the Netherlands on Windows, Mac, iOS and Android apps.
Uzair Gadit, Co-Founder & CEO, PureVPN said : “To put it into perspective, mathematical problems that would currently take a traditional supercomputer until the end of time, will be solved by a quantum computer in a matter of hours. That’s how powerful the technology will be. Quantum computers will outperform even the most powerful supercomputer that exists in this day and age, meaning all current encryption protocols will be broken in time.”
Quantum computing attacks will become a distinct possibility against current encryption, like RSA (Rivest-Shamir-Adleman), ECDSA (Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm), DSA (Digital Signature Algorithm), and Diffie-Hellman key agreement protocol, which protects everything from sensitive state data, to power plants and stock markets. While the threat posed by quantum computers may seem distant, there is an urgency to remain protected and prepared against such long-term dangers, especially due to the “harvest now, decrypt later” threat. Hackers and digital attackers are tapping encrypted data channels and collecting a substantial amount of encrypted data in anticipation of unlocking it in the future using a quantum computer.
In addition to strengthening our encryption keys as a first step, PureVPN is progressing a transitional plan to quantum-resistant algorithms, which are currently going through an approval process by NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology). Once the algorithms have been defined, that will be the next step in our quantum journey.
A study by Dimensional Research has revealed that two-thirds of cybersecurity leaders and experts believe that current encryption protocols stand no chance against hackers using a quantum computer. The same study on the subject showed that 89% of 600 cybersecurity experts across the world predict that current encryption will be compromised by 2026. Alarmingly, more than 50% of organizations are not even aware of quantum security threats.
According to Duncan Jones, Head of Cybersecurity at Quantinuum: “Encryption keys are a fundamental part of securing sensitive data. Using encryption keys generated from a verifiable quantum source enhances security above what is available today, and takes risks off the table at a time where the cyber threat has never been higher.”
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