NSA Expert: Quantum Computing to Enter Workforce in 3 to 5 Years

Insider Brief

• National security expert believes quantum will affect the workforce between three to five years from now.
• Cloud access to quantum devices will be more prevalent than on-premise systems, Neal Ziring said, as reported by NextGov.
• Cloud-based quantum will address costs and scalability concerns, as well as more readily integrate into hybrid-computing configurations.

A national security expert predicts practical quantum computing tools are just three to five years away from integration into the workforce, NextGov is reporting.

Neal Ziring, the Technical Director of the National Security Agency’s (NSA) Cybersecurity Directorate, made the forecast during a recent public sector cybersecurity event hosted by Palo Alto Networks in Palo Alto. As reported by NextGov, Ziring expects the devices to be accessible predominantly through cloud-based platforms.

Ziring added that the impracticality and cost-prohibitive nature of would put on-premise installations for quantum computing systems out of reach for most organizations, including government agencies.

“Even if a government agency would be willing to have one quantum computer on-prem … I don’t think they’re going to be willing to have multiple,” Ziring said, as reported by NextGov.

The cloud approach would address the scalability and efficiency concerns, but Ziring also mentions that it could facilitate the development of hybrid computing models. Hybrid models blend the capabilities of quantum and classical computing, offering an optimized solution for complex problem-solving without unnecessary complexity.

The transition to cloud-based quantum computing reflects a broader strategy to overcome the current limitations of theoretical quantum systems, according to Ziring. By harnessing the cloud, users could tap into quantum computing with their existing digital infrastructures quickly (relatively) paving the way for advancements in cybersecurity, logistics, and data processing across both the civilian and defense sectors.

The implications of practical quantum computing are far-reaching, Ziring said. The NSA, along with the wider intelligence community, anticipates significant enhancements in their operational capabilities, from bolstering network defenses against sophisticated cyber threats to advancing logistical operations. The move towards quantum computing is also a proactive measure against potential vulnerabilities in public-key cryptography systems, which could be exploited with the advent of sufficiently advanced quantum computers.

To support this transition, further research into quantum circuits is essential, as highlighted by Ziring. This research will focus on optimizing the pathways that quantum particles follow during computation, a crucial step towards the practical application of quantum computing.

The U.S. government’s commitment to maintaining a leading position in quantum research, underscored by President Joe Biden’s 2022 National Security Memorandum. With the 2024 defense policy bill advocating for the establishment of a quantum computing innovation center within the Department of Defense, the nation is gearing up for a future where quantum computing plays a pivotal role in its technological and security landscape.

Ziring concluded by saying that the U.S. might be in a good spot to take advantage of quantum computing, however there is a need for better partnerships between government, industry and academia.