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Technology
Cryptography Finance Quantum computing qubits Technology

Quantum Computing Moves Closer to Real-World Use as Researchers Push Past Major Technical Limits

 



The technology sector is preparing for another major transition, and this time the shift is not driven by artificial intelligence. Researchers have been investing in quantum computing for decades because it promises to handle certain scientific and industrial problems far faster than today’s machines. Tasks that currently require months or years of simulation – such as studying new medicines, designing materials for vehicles, or modelling financial risks could eventually be completed in hours or even minutes once the technology matures.


How quantum computers work differently

Conventional computers rely on bits, which store information strictly as zeros or ones. Quantum systems use qubits, which behave according to the rules of quantum physics and can represent several states at the same time. An easy way to picture this is to think of a coin. A classical bit resembles a coin resting on heads or tails. A qubit is like the coin while it is spinning, holding multiple possibilities simultaneously.

This ability allows quantum machines to examine many outcomes in parallel, making them powerful tools for problems that involve chemistry, physics, optimisation and advanced mathematics. They are not designed to replace everyday devices such as laptops or phones. Instead, they are meant to support specialised research in fields like healthcare, climate modelling, transportation, finance and cryptography.


Expanding industry activity

Companies and research groups are racing to strengthen quantum hardware. IBM recently presented two experimental processors named Loon and Nighthawk. Loon is meant to test the components needed for larger, error-tolerant systems, while Nighthawk is built to run more complex quantum operations, often called gates. These announcements indicate an effort to move toward machines that can keep operating even when errors occur, a requirement for reliable quantum computing.

Other major players are also pursuing their own designs. Google introduced a chip called Willow, which it says shows lower error rates as more qubits are added. Microsoft revealed a device it calls Majorana 1, built with materials intended to stabilise qubits by creating a more resilient quantum state. These approaches demonstrate that the field is exploring multiple scientific pathways at once.

Industrial collaborations are growing as well. Automotive and aerospace firms such as BMW Group and Airbus are working with Quantinuum to study how quantum tools could support fuel-cell research. Separately, Accenture Labs, Biogen and 1QBit are examining how the technology could accelerate drug discovery by comparing complex molecular structures that classical machines struggle to handle.


Challenges that still block progress

Despite the developments, quantum systems face serious engineering obstacles. Qubits are extremely sensitive to their environments. Small changes in temperature, vibrations or stray light can disrupt their state and introduce errors. IBM researchers note that even a slight shake of a table can damage a running system.

Because of this fragility, building a fault-tolerant machine – one that can detect and correct errors automatically remains one of the field’s hardest problems. Experts differ on how soon this will be achieved. An MIT researcher has estimated that dependable, large-scale quantum hardware may still require ten to twenty more years of work. A McKinsey survey found that 72 percent of executives, investors and academics expect the first fully fault-tolerant computers to be ready by about 2035. IBM has outlined a more ambitious target, aiming to reach fault tolerance before the end of this decade.


Security and policy implications

Quantum computing also presents risks. Once sufficiently advanced, these machines could undermine some current encryption systems, which is why governments and security organisations are developing quantum-resistant cryptography in advance.

The sector has also attracted policy attention. Reports indicated that some quantum companies were in early discussions with the US Department of Commerce about potential funding terms. Officials later clarified that the department is not currently negotiating equity-based arrangements with those firms.


What the future might look like

Quantum computing is unlikely to solve mainstream computing needs in the short term, but the steady pace of technical progress suggests that early specialised applications may emerge sooner. Researchers believe that once fully stable systems arrive, quantum machines could act as highly refined scientific tools capable of solving problems that are currently impossible for classical computers.



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Mesh Network
Cryptography Cyber Security Internet Shutdowns Mesh Network

Amigo Mesh Network Empowers Protesters to Communicate During Blackouts

 

Researchers from City College of New York, Harvard University, and Johns Hopkins University have developed Amigo, a prototype mesh network specifically designed to maintain communication during political protests and internet blackouts imposed by authoritarian regimes. The system addresses critical failures in existing mesh network technology that have plagued protesters in countries like Myanmar, India, and Bangladesh, where governments routinely shut down internet connectivity to suppress civil unrest.

Traditional mesh networks create local area networks by connecting smartphones directly to each other, allowing users to bypass conventional wireless infrastructure. However, these systems have historically struggled with messages failing to deliver, appearing out of order, and leaking compromising metadata that allows authorities to trace users. The primary technical challenge occurs when networks experience strain, causing nodes to send redundant messages that flood and collapse the system.

Dynamic clique architecture

Amigo overcomes these limitations through an innovative approach that dynamically segments the network into geographical "cliques" with designated lead nodes. Within each clique, individual devices communicate only with their assigned leader, who then relays data to other lead nodes. This hierarchical structure dramatically reduces redundant messaging and prevents network congestion, resembling the clandestine cell systems historically used by resistance movements where members could only communicate through local anonymous leaders.

Advanced security features

Security represents another major innovation in Amigo's design. The system implements "outsider anonymity," making it impossible for bystanders or surveillance systems to detect that a group exists. It enables secure removal of compromised devices from encrypted groups, a persistent vulnerability in older mesh standards. Amigo incorporates forward secrecy, ensuring past communications remain secure even if encryption keys are compromised, and post-compromise security that automatically generates new keys when breaches are detected, effectively blocking intruders

Realistic movement modeling

Unlike previous mesh systems that treated users as randomly moving particles, Amigo integrates psychological crowd modeling based on sociological research. Graduate researcher Cora Ruiz discovered that people in protests move closer together, slower, and in synchronized patterns. This realistic movement modeling creates more stable communication patterns in dense, moving environments, preventing the misrouted messages that plagued earlier systems.

While designed for political activism, Amigo's applications extend to disaster recovery scenarios where communication infrastructure is destroyed. The technology could prove vital for first responders, citizens, and volunteers operating in devastated areas or remote regions without grid connectivity. Lead researcher Tushar Jois indicates the next phase involves working directly with activists and journalists to understand protester needs and test how the network functions as demonstrations evolve.
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Technology
Compliance Cryptography Data PQC Quantum computing Software Technology

Why Businesses Must Act Now to Prepare for a Quantum-Safe Future

 



As technology advances, quantum computing is no longer a distant concept — it is steadily becoming a real-world capability. While this next-generation innovation promises breakthroughs in fields like medicine and materials science, it also poses a serious threat to cybersecurity. The encryption systems that currently protect global digital infrastructure may not withstand the computing power quantum technology will one day unleash.

Data is now the most valuable strategic resource for any organization. Every financial transaction, business operation, and communication depends on encryption to stay secure. However, once quantum computers reach full capability, they could break the mathematical foundations of most existing encryption systems, exposing sensitive data on a global scale.


The urgency of post-quantum security

Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) refers to encryption methods designed to remain secure even against quantum computers. Transitioning to PQC will not be an overnight task. It demands re-engineering of applications, operating systems, and infrastructure that rely on traditional cryptography. Businesses must begin preparing now, because once the threat materializes, it will be too late to react effectively.

Experts warn that quantum computing will likely follow the same trajectory as artificial intelligence. Initially, the technology will be accessible only to a few institutions. Over time, as more companies and researchers enter the field, the technology will become cheaper and widely available including to cybercriminals. Preparing early is the only viable defense.


Governments are setting the pace

Several governments and standard-setting bodies have already started addressing the challenge. The United Kingdom’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has urged organizations to adopt quantum-resistant encryption by 2035. The European Union has launched its Quantum Europe Strategy to coordinate member states toward unified standards. Meanwhile, the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has finalized its first set of post-quantum encryption algorithms, which serve as a global reference point for organizations looking to begin their transition.

As these efforts gain momentum, businesses must stay informed about emerging regulations and standards. Compliance will require foresight, investment, and close monitoring of how different jurisdictions adapt their cybersecurity frameworks.

To handle the technical and organizational scale of this shift, companies can establish internal Centers of Excellence (CoEs) dedicated to post-quantum readiness. These teams bring together leaders from across departments: IT, compliance, legal, product development, and procurement to map vulnerabilities, identify dependencies, and coordinate upgrades.

The CoE model also supports employee training, helping close skill gaps in quantum-related technologies. By testing new encryption algorithms, auditing existing infrastructure, and maintaining company-wide communication, a CoE ensures that no critical process is overlooked.


Industry action has already begun

Leading technology providers have started adopting quantum-safe practices. For example, Red Hat’s Enterprise Linux 10 is among the first operating systems to integrate PQC support, while Kubernetes has begun enabling hybrid encryption methods that combine traditional and quantum-safe algorithms. These developments set a precedent for the rest of the industry, signaling that the shift to PQC is not a theoretical concern but an ongoing transformation.


The time to prepare is now

Transitioning to a quantum-safe infrastructure will take years, involving system audits, software redesigns, and new cryptographic standards. Organizations that begin planning today will be better equipped to protect their data, meet upcoming regulatory demands, and maintain customer trust in the digital economy.

Quantum computing will redefine the boundaries of cybersecurity. The only question is whether organizations will be ready when that day arrives.


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quantum dynamics
Cryptography Cyber Security Digital Security QKD quantum dynamics

The Future of Cybersecurity Lies in Structure

 



Cybersecurity today often feels like a never-ending contest between attackers and defenders. New threats emerge, and companies respond with stronger locks and barriers. But what if security could be built so firmly into the foundation of digital systems that certain attacks were not just difficult but impossible? This vision points to a structural shift in how we think about protecting data.

Currently, two main strategies dominate. The first is Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), which uses the strange laws of quantum physics. In simple terms, if someone tries to intercept a quantum signal, the very act of looking at it changes the signal itself, alerting the sender and receiver. It’s a powerful safeguard, but its strength comes passively from physics.

The second strategy is Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC). Instead of physics, PQC relies on complex mathematical puzzles that even powerful quantum computers are believed to be unable to solve efficiently. Governments and institutions, such as NIST, have begun standardizing these algorithms. Yet, this protection is based on assumptions. We trust that the math is hard, but there is no absolute proof it will remain that way.

Both QKD and PQC are crucial, but they are reactive, methods developed to counter threats rather than reimagine security itself.

This is where a new theoretical approach, called the Quaternary Interpretation of Quantum Dynamics (QIQD), comes in. QIQD suggests that the limits we currently see in quantum mechanics such as the rule that signals cannot be copied without disturbance may only be part of the story. They might be projections of a deeper, four-part structure underlying quantum behaviour.

If that structure exists, it could allow engineers to design systems with security hardwired into their foundations. For example, QIQD could lead to quantum states specifically created to highlight even the smallest attempt at interference. Instead of merely detecting an attack after it happens, these systems could expose the intent to intrude at the earliest possible stage.

For cryptography, the shift could be even more revolutionary. Instead of saying a mathematical problem “seems hard,” we could prove that solving it would contradict the geometry of information itself. That would turn cryptographic protection from an assumption into a certainty, similar to how it is impossible to draw a triangle with four sides.

Most strikingly, QIQD could bring together the strengths of both QKD and PQC under a single framework. It could explain why physics-based protections work, show why some mathematical problems are unbreakable, and guide the design of new, more resilient systems.

Though still a theoretical proposal, QIQD represents a move away from building higher walls toward building stronger ground. For industries where breaches are not an option such as finance, defense, and infrastructure: this structural approach could reshape the future of cybersecurity.


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Quantum
Cryptography Cyber Security Cybersecurity Encryption Q Day Quantum

Q Day: The Quantum Threat Businesses Must Prepare For

 

Q Day represents the theoretical moment when quantum computers become powerful enough to break current cryptographic methods and render existing encryption obsolete. While experts estimate this could occur within 10-15 years, the exact timing remains uncertain since quantum computers haven't yet reached their theoretical potential. 

The growing threat 

Major companies including IBM and Google, along with governments and startups, are rapidly advancing quantum computing technology. These machines have already evolved from handling a few quantum bits to managing hundreds, becoming increasingly sophisticated at solving complex problems. Though current quantum computers cannot yet break internet encryption protocols, the consensus among experts points to Q Day's eventual arrival. 

Government agencies are taking this threat seriously. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has standardized post-quantum cryptographic algorithms, while Europe's ENISA focuses on implementation and certification schemes. The UK National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has established a three-phase timeline: discovery and planning by 2028, early migration by 2031, and full migration by 2035. 

Business preparation strategy 

Organizations should avoid panic while taking proactive steps. The preparation process begins with comprehensive IT asset auditing to identify what systems exist and which assets face the highest risk, particularly those dependent on public-key encryption or requiring long-term data confidentiality. 

Following the audit, businesses must prioritize assets for migration and determine what should be retired. This inventory process provides security benefits beyond quantum preparation. 

Current standards and timing 

NIST has published three post-quantum cryptographic standards (FIPS 203, 204, and 205) with additional standards in development. However, integration into protocols and widely-used technologies remains incomplete. Industry experts recommend following ETSI's Quantum Safe Cryptography Working Group and the IETF's PQUIP group for practical implementation guidance. 

The timing challenge follows what the author calls the "Goldilocks Theory" - preparing too early risks adopting immature technologies that increase vulnerabilities, while waiting too long leaves critical systems exposed. The key involves maintaining preparedness through proper asset inventory while staying current with post-quantum standards. 

Organizations have approximately six years maximum to plan and migrate critical assets according to NCSC timelines, though Q Day could arrive sooner, later, or potentially never materialize. The emphasis should be on preparation through foresight rather than fear.
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Technology
Ascon algorithm Constrained Devices Cryptography Cybersecurity Standards IOT Security Lightweight Cryptography NIST RFID Technology

NIST Issues Lightweight Cryptography Standard to Secure Small Devices

 


A new lightweight cryptography standard has been finalized by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), aiming to enhance the security of billions of connected devices worldwide. It is intended to provide protection for small, resource-constrained technologies that have limited resources. Whether they be Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, RFID tags, or even medical implants, these devices have a limited memory, power, and processing capacity, allowing them to be vulnerable to modern cyber attacks due to their limited memory, power, and processing capability. 

As a result, NIST has issued Special Publication 800-232, which establishes Lightweight Cryptography Standards for Constrained Devices based on Ascon. An authentication framework as part of this framework allows for the use of tools for authenticated encryption and hashing that minimize energy consumption, memory usage, and computation demands without compromising on robust security. 

The Ascon algorithm family, which forms the basis for the standard, was originally developed in 2014 by Graz University of Technology researchers, Infineon Technologies researchers, and Radboud University researchers. Ascon has already proven its resilience by participating in the international CAESAR competition which was launched in 2023, and has since emerged as a leader in lightweight encryption, now elevated to an official benchmark for securing the next generation of connected technologies, following a rigorous global review process. 

The NIST has developed its new standard in order to deliver robust protection in situations where conventional cryptographic techniques are often too heavy and cannot be implemented as soon as possible, taking into account the fact that even the smallest digital components play an important role in today's interconnected world. 

Ascon-Based Lightweight Cryptography Standards for Constrained Devices was published as Special Publication 800-232 to introduce specialized tools for authenticated encryption and hashing suited to safeguard information generated and transmitted by billions of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, RFID tags, toll transponders, and medical implants in the form of encrypted data. There are numerous ways to attack these tiny technological devices, but they are equally vulnerable to cyberattacks as smartphones or computers. 

With lightweight cryptography, it is possible even resource-constrained electronics can be able to resist modern security threats without exceeding their performance limits without exceeding their performance limits, and this is the key to ensuring a balance. It is the NIST's intention to formalize this standard, which aims to address a long-standing threat in digital security. 

By establishing the new standard, NIST offers a practical, scalable and attainable defense for the rapidly expanding ecosystem of connected devices. The newly established standard is based on the Ascon algorithm family, which was selected after a rigorous, multi-round public review process in 2023. It has been developed since 2014 by researchers at Graz University of Technology, Infineon Technologies, and Radboud University. 

It is a cryptographic protocol that has been extensively tested for its security and has gained international recognition for its performance. In 2019, when the prestigious CAESAR competition named it the top choice for lightweight encryption, this solidified its credibility as a robust encryption solution that is resistant to multiple types of attacks. Four Ascon variants have been incorporated into the NIST framework, each aiming to meet a unique requirement of constrained devices. 

The ASCON-128 AEAD is an authenticated encryption system with associated data that allows devices to both secure and verify information, while offering increased protection against side-channel attacks, an increasingly common threat where adversaries exploit subtle hints, such as power consumption or processing time, for their attacks.

The ASCON-Hash 256 technology complements this by delivering a lightweight mechanism for ensuring data integrity through generating unique fingerprints of information that can detect tampering, assist with software updates, and enhance security of passwords as well as digital signatures. In order to increase hashing capacity and flexibility, ASCON-XOF 128 and ASCON-CXOF 128 offer longer hash lengths on low-power devices to reduce energy consumption and saving time, while the CXOF variant also adds custom labeling to prevent collisions that might be exploited by an attacker. 

Despite its immediate adoption, the standard has also been designed to be scalable in order to evolve along with the future needs of an expanding digital ecosystem, according to NIST cryptography expert Kerry McKay, who emphasizes that the standard is not just for immediate adoption. At the heart of the new standard is a suite of four interrelated algorithms derived from the Ascon family of cryptographic primitives. 

It was introduced in 2014 at the Eurocrypt Conference, and was designed specifically for high performance in environments that are constrained. There are three types of encryption algorithms that are included in the package: a key-derivation function, a hash function, and an authenticated encryption algorithm, all of which offer developers a range of choices that are suitable for the specific needs of their applications. NIST chose Ascon as its processor because of its emphasis on simplicity, efficiency, and resilience, qualities that are crucial for devices that have limited processing power, memory, and power supply. 

IoT devices, RFID tags, and embedded systems are often exposed to cyber threats due to the fact that conventional algorithms, including Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) and Secure Hash Algorithm 2 (SHA-2), are often overburdened by computational requirements, so they are vulnerable to cyber threats ranging from data breaches to denial-of-service attacks. 

By delivering comparable levels of security with a fraction of the computation overhead that traditional cryptography requires, lightweight cryptography bridges this gap. There was a public call for algorithms in 2016 that led to this standard, followed by years of intensive analysis and rigorous testing, which included evaluations across microcontrollers and embedded platforms, as well as extensive analysis of both theoretical and practical aspects of algorithms. 

Through this thorough vetting, Ascon was able to distinguish itself as offering robust security, ease of implementation, and adaptability across a variety of hardware environments by implementing a robust security framework. It goes beyond the Internet of Things, reaching into domains such as wireless sensor networks, industrial control systems, and smart cards that are increasingly in need of interoperability and secure communication protocols. 

With the release of Special Publication 800-232, NIST not only provides developers with well-vetted cryptographic tools but also lowers the barriers that developers need to overcome when designing secure systems in environments that were previously considered too constrained for modern encryption techniques. Having reached this milestone, NIST has shown that it is committed to addressing the unique security challenges posed by the rapid proliferation of small, networked devices. Ascons is also positioned as an integral part of NIST's next-generation cryptography efforts. 

It is not just a technical milestone that NIST has finalized its lightweight cryptography standard, but a strategic investment into making sure that the digital infrastructure that underpins modern life is resilient. It is inevitable that security challenges will only become more complex as billions of devices continue to be connected to healthcare, transportation, energy, and consumer technologies. In introducing a standardized, rigorously vetted framework that combines strength with efficiency, NIST has laid the foundation for a new era of secure design practices in environments that were once unprotected. 

Experts in the industry note the potential benefits of a widespread adoption of such standards, including more trust in emerging technologies, a better understanding of how hardware and software are developed to be secure, and less vulnerability that is prone to causing systemic risks in the future. Although future cryptographic advances may continue to evolve, the Ascon-based framework has already taken a significant step towards ensuring that even the smallest devices - often overlooked but crucial - no longer become the weakest link in the digital environment. 

Moreover, NIST aims to enhance its role as the global leader in cryptographic standardization and research by providing guidance and guidance to the government as well as industries towards a more secure, interoperable, and resilient technological future.
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Technology
AI Cryptography Encryption Identity Theft Policy Quantum computing Technology

Why Policy-Driven Cryptography Matters in the AI Era

 



In this modern-day digital world, companies are under constant pressure to keep their networks secure. Traditionally, encryption systems were deeply built into applications and devices, making them hard to change or update. When a flaw was found, either in the encryption method itself or because hackers became smarter, fixing it took time, effort, and risk. Most companies chose to live with the risk because they didn’t have an easy way to fix the problem or even fully understand where it existed.

Now, with data moving across various platforms, for instance cloud servers, edge devices, and personal gadgets — it’s no longer practical to depend on rigid security setups. Businesses need flexible systems that can quickly respond to new threats, government rules, and technological changes.

According to the IBM X‑Force 2025 Threat Intelligence Index, nearly one-third (30 %) of all intrusions in 2024 began with valid account credential abuse, making identity theft a top pathway for attackers.

This is where policy-driven cryptography comes in.


What Is Policy-Driven Crypto Agility?

It means building systems where encryption tools and rules can be easily updated or swapped out based on pre-defined policies, rather than making changes manually in every application or device. Think of it like setting rules in a central dashboard: when updates are needed, the changes apply across the network with a few clicks.

This method helps businesses react quickly to new security threats without affecting ongoing services. It also supports easier compliance with laws like GDPR, HIPAA, or PCI DSS, as rules can be built directly into the system and leave behind an audit trail for review.


Why Is This Important Today?

Artificial intelligence is making cyber threats more powerful. AI tools can now scan massive amounts of encrypted data, detect patterns, and even speed up the process of cracking codes. At the same time, quantum computing; a new kind of computing still in development, may soon be able to break the encryption methods we rely on today.

If organizations start preparing now by using policy-based encryption systems, they’ll be better positioned to add future-proof encryption methods like post-quantum cryptography without having to rebuild everything from scratch.


How Can Organizations Start?

To make this work, businesses need a strong key management system: one that handles the creation, rotation, and deactivation of encryption keys. On top of that, there must be a smart control layer that reads the rules (policies) and makes changes across the network automatically.

Policies should reflect real needs, such as what kind of data is being protected, where it’s going, and what device is using it. Teams across IT, security, and compliance must work together to keep these rules updated. Developers and staff should also be trained to understand how the system works.

As more companies shift toward cloud-based networks and edge computing, policy-driven cryptography offers a smarter, faster, and safer way to manage security. It reduces the chance of human error, keeps up with fast-moving threats, and ensures compliance with strict data regulations.

In a time when hackers use AI and quantum computing is fast approaching, flexible and policy-based encryption may be the key to keeping tomorrow’s networks safe.

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Security Protocols
Advanced Technology Blockchain Security Cryptographic Cryptography Cybersecurity Cybertech CyberThreat Security Protocols

Core Cryptographic Technique Compromised Putting Blockchain Security at Risk

 


The concept of randomness is often regarded as a cornerstone of fairness, security, and predictability in both physical and digital environments. Randomness must be used to ensure impartiality, protect sensitive information, and ensure integrity, whether it is determining which team kicks off a match by coin toss or securely securing billions of online transactions with cryptographic keys. 

However, in the digital age, it is often very challenging and resource-consuming to generate true randomness. Because of this limitation, computer scientists and engineers have turned to hash functions as a tool to solve this problem. 

Hash functions are mathematical algorithms that mix input data in an unpredictable fashion, yielding fixed-length outputs. Although these outputs are not truly random, they are designed to mimic randomness as closely as possible. 

Historically, this practical substitution has been based on the widely accepted theoretical assumption of a random oracle model, which holds that the outputs of well-designed hash functions are indistinguishable from genuine randomness. As a result of this model, numerous cryptographic protocols have been designed and analysed, enabling secure communication, digital signatures, and consensus mechanisms, which have established it as a foundational pillar in cryptographic research. 

Despite this, as this assumption has been increasingly relied upon, so too has the scrutiny of its limits become more critical, raising serious questions about the long-term resilience of systems built on a system that may only be an illusion of randomness based on it. By enabling transparent, tamper-evident, and trustless transactions, blockchain technology is transforming a wide range of industries, ranging from finance and logistics to health care and legal systems. 

In light of the increasing popularity of the technology, it has become increasingly crucial for companies to secure digital assets, safeguard sensitive information, and ensure the integrity of their transactions in order to scale their adoption effectively. Organisations must have a deep understanding of how to implement and maintain strong security protocols across the blockchain ecosystem to ensure the effectiveness of enterprise adoption. 

In order to secure blockchain networks, there must be a variety of critical issues addressed, such as verifying transactions, verifying identities, controlling access to the blockchain, and preventing unauthorised data manipulation. Blockchain's trust model is based on robust cryptographic techniques that form the foundation of these security measures. 

An example of symmetric encryption utilises the same secret key for both encryption and decryption; an example of asymmetric encryption is establishing secure communication channels and verifying digital signatures through the use of a public-private key pair; and another example is cryptographic hash functions that generate fixed-length, irreversible representations of data and thus ensure integrity and non-repudiation of data. Several of these cryptographic methods are crucial to maintaining the security and resilience of blockchain systems, each playing a distinct and vital role. As a general rule, symmetric encryption is usually used in secure data exchange between trusted nodes, whereas asymmetric encryption is commonly used in identifying and signing transactions. Hash functions, on the other hand, are essential to the core blockchain functions of block creation, consensus mechanisms, and proof-of-work algorithms. 

By using these techniques, blockchain networks are able to provide a secure, transparent and tamper-resistant platform that can meet the ever-growing demands of modern digital infrastructure, while simultaneously offering a secure, transparent, and tamper-resistant platform. In the broader world of cybersecurity, cryptography serves as a foundational technology for protecting digital systems, communication channels, and data.

In addition to maintaining confidentiality, making sure sensitive data is protected from unauthorised access, and ensuring data integrity by detecting tampering or unauthorised modifications, it is an essential part of maintaining data integrity. As well as protecting data, cryptography also enables authentication, using mechanisms such as digital certificates and cryptographic signatures, which enable organisations to verify the identity of their users, devices, and systems in a high-assurance manner. 

The adoption of cryptographic controls is explicitly required by many data protection and privacy regulations, including the GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS, placing cryptography as an essential tool in ensuring regulatory compliance across many industries. With the development of more sophisticated cybersecurity strategies, cryptography will become increasingly important as it is integrated into emerging frameworks like the Zero Trust architecture and defence-in-depth models in order to respond to increasingly sophisticated threats. 

As the ultimate safeguard in multi-layered security strategies, cryptography plays a crucial role—a resilient barrier that is able to protect data even when a system compromise takes place. Despite the fact that attackers may penetrate outer security layers, strong encryption ensures that critical information will remain unable to be accessed and understood without the right cryptographic key if they manage to penetrate outer security layers. 

Using the Zero Trust paradigm, which assumes that there should be no inherently trustworthy user or device, cryptography enables secure access by enforcing granular authentication, encryption of data, and policy-driven access controls as well. The software secures data both in transit and at rest, reducing the risk of lateral movement, insider threats, and compromised credentials. 

A cyberattack is becoming increasingly targeted at core infrastructures as well as high-value data, and cryptographic technologies can provide enduring protection, ensuring confidentiality, integrity, and availability, no matter what environment a computer or network is in. The development of secure, resilient, and trustworthy digital ecosystems relies on cryptography more than any other technical component. 

A groundbreaking new study has challenged a central assumption in modern cryptography - that the random oracle model can be trusted - as well as challenged a fundamental part of cryptography's reliability. An effective technique has been developed to deceive a widely used, commercially available cryptographic proof system into validating false statements, revealing a method that is new to the world of cryptographic proof. 

In light of the fact that the system in question has long been considered secure, the random oracle model has long assumed that its outputs mimic genuine randomness. This revelation is particularly alarming. According to the researchers, the vulnerability they discovered raises significant concerns for blockchain ecosystems, especially those in which proof protocols play a key role in validating off-chain computations and protecting transaction records, especially those within blockchain ecosystems. 

The vulnerability carries significant repercussions for the blockchain and cryptocurrency industries, where the stakes are extremely high. According to the researcher Eylon Yogev from Bar-Ilan University in Israel, "there is quite a bit of money being made with these kinds of things." Given the substantial incentives for adversaries to exploit cryptographic vulnerabilities, malicious actors have a strong chance of undermining the integrity of blockchains. 

In the paper, Dmitry Khovratovich, a member of the Ethereum Foundation, Ron Rothblum, a member of the Technion–Israel Institute of Technology and zero-knowledge proof firm Succinct and Lev Soukhanov of the blockchain-focused startup [[alloc] init] all point out that the attacks are not restricted to any particular hash function. 

As a matter of fact, it exposes a more fundamental problem: it enables the fabrication of convincing, yet false, proofs regardless of the specific hash function used to simulate randomness within the system. This discovery fundamentally challenges the notion that hash-based randomness in cryptographic applications can always replace the real-world unpredictable nature of cryptography. 

A growing number of blockchain technologies are being developed and scaled, so the findings make it clear that we need more robust, formally verifiable security models—ones that are not based on idealised assumptions alone—as the technology continues to grow and grow. Encryption backdoors are deliberately designed, concealed vulnerabilities within cryptographic systems that allow unauthorised access to encrypted data despite standard authentication or decryption procedures being bypassed. 

This type of hidden mechanism can be embedded within a wide variety of digital technologies — from secure messaging platforms to cloud storage to virtual private networks and communication protocols, to name but a few. As encryption is intended to keep data secure, so only those with the intent to access it can do so, a backdoor undermines this principle effectively by providing a secret entry point that is usually known to the creators or designated third parties only. 

As an example, imagine encrypted data being stored in a highly secure digital vault, where access is restricted only to those with special cryptographic keys that they have, along with the recipient of the data, which can only be accessed by them. It is often said that backdoors are like concealed second keyholes — one undocumented and deliberately concealed — which can be used by selected entities without the user's knowledge or consent to unlock the vault. 

It is clear that proponents of such mechanisms contend that they are essential to national security and critical law enforcement operations, but this viewpoint remains very contentious among cybersecurity professionals and privacy advocates. Regardless of the purpose of the intentional vulnerability, it erodes the overall security posture of any system when included. 

There is a single point of failure with backdoors; if they are discovered or exploited by malicious actors such as hackers, foreign intelligence services, or insider threats, they have the ability to compromise a large amount of sensitive data. Having a backdoor negates the very nature of encryption, and turns robust digital fortresses into potentially leaky structures by the very nature of their existence. 

This implies that the debate over backdoors lies at an intersection of information privacy, trust, and security, and, in doing so, raises profound questions regarding whether the pursuit of surveillance should be made at the expense of an adequate level of digital security for every person.
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