Graduation Term

2024

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

School of Information Technology: Information Systems

Committee Chair

Yongning Tang

Committee Member

Chung-Chih Li

Abstract

One of the most critical components of modern cryptography and thus cybersecurity is the ability to factor large integers quickly and efficiently. RSA encryption, one of the most used types, is based largely on the assumption that factoring for large numbers is computationally infeasible for humans and computers alike. However, with quantum computers, people can use an algorithm like Shor’s algorithm to perform the same task exponentially faster than any normal device ever could. This investigation will go into the strength and vulnerability of RSA encryption using the power of factorization in an age of quantum computers.We start by looking at the foundations of both classical and quantum factoring with greater detail at number field sieve (NFS) and Shor’s. We examine the mathematical background of each topic and the associated algorithms. We conclude with theoretical analysis and experimental simulations that address the difficulty and implications of the above-mentioned algorithms in cryptography. The final thing that I will be discussing is where quantum computing is at present and how this could pose a threat to the current type of cryptographic systems, we use every day. I will be mentioning how we need post-quantum cryptography and how people are currently creating algorithms that are designed to be attack-resistant even to large-scale quantum computers. This investigation has shown the changing dynamics of cybersecurity in the quantum era and helps us understand the challenges and the need to innovate the current cryptographic systems.

Access Type

Thesis-Open Access

DOI

https://doi.org/10.30707/ETD2024.20240618063947766023.999996

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