Abstract
Quantum annealing is an approach to quantum computing that serves as an alternative to general-purpose quantum computing. However, the cryptographic community does not currently view quantum annealing as a significant threat to cryptographic algorithms. Recent findings indicate that quantum annealing could be used for the efficient cryptanalysis of stream ciphers. Furthermore, although additional analysis is necessary, cryptanalysis with quantum annealing appears to require a relatively small amount of resources, suggesting its practical applicability. This contrasts with Grover's algorithm, which necessitates quantum circuits of substantial depth and billions of quantum gates. This paper will explore the potential cybersecurity risks if the implications of quantum annealing are not taken seriously.
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