16 yr old Shane Curran, unveils qCrypt: ''The quantum-secure, encrypted, data storage solution with multijurisdictional quorum sharding technology"
OneS of the most highly circulated facts pertaining to quantum computers is their slightly troubling aptitude for defeating public-key cryptography algorithms. What would have taken a conventional computer months or years to successfully break through, a quantum computer could accomplish in a matter of days. This of course is only one example given as a benchmark and testament to the sheer computational power these incredible devices wield. This shadowy looming factor has been a serious threat to virtually everyone's cyber security without apology, until Shane Curran's release of qCrypt.
Shane is a very promising 16 year old Irish student and cryptographer at Terenure College. He has been named the top scientist and technologist at the 2017 BT Young Exhibition for presenting qCrypt, a quantum-encryted data format capable of resisting the computing power of quantum processors.
qCrypt's algorithm as you may imagine, is a significant advancement over previous cryptograhic technology which couldn't hold a metaphoric candle to quantum computers. qCrypt's exceptionally bright young creator received abundant and well due praise from other top local scientists such as BT Young Scientist & Associate Professor at University Dublin Judge John Dunnion.
qCrypt is a novel distributed data storage system that provides greater protection for user data than is currently available. It addresses a number of shortfalls of current data encryption systems; in particular, the algorithm used in the system has been demonstrated to be resistant to attacks by quantum computers in the future,” said Dunnion
Given the inception and growing topic of quantum computing, NSA officials released the following cautionary statement addressing the relationship quantum costumers to the of quality of protection offered by modern encryption protocols.
“The long lifetime of equipment in the military and many kinds of critical infrastructures…means that many of our customers and suppliers are required to plan protections that will be good enough to defeat any technologies that might arise within a few decades. Many experts predict a quantum computer capable of effectively breaking public key cryptography within that timeframe, and therefore NSA believes it is important to address that concern,” the memorandum read.
Curran was rewarded handsomely for his work with the BTYSTE trophy, an all-expense-paid trip to the European Space Research and Technology Center located in the Netherlands, and more that $5,000 US dollars in funding for his achievements. He was also offered the honor of representing Ireland's at the esteemed European Union Contest for Young Scientists in Estonia, an event that will facilitate a broader platform in which to present qCrypt.