Chinese scientists have reportedly achieved a major breakthrough in quantum computing by successfully breaching widely used encryption methods, raising concerns over the security of critical sectors like banking and the military. This marks the first time a quantum computer has effectively attacked certain cryptographic algorithms, according to a research team led by Wang Chao from Shanghai University.

Using the D-Wave Advantage quantum computer, produced by Canada’s D-Wave Systems, the researchers were able to crack the Present, Gift-64, and Rectangle algorithms. These algorithms are part of the Substitution-Permutation Network (SPN) structure, which underpins the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), one of the most secure forms of encryption currently in use.

AES-256, often dubbed as “military-grade encryption,” is a cornerstone of secure communications. Despite this, the successful quantum attack demonstrates the growing capability of quantum computers to challenge existing cryptographic security measures. While general-purpose quantum computing still poses no immediate threat to modern cryptography, this development highlights the potential for targeted attacks using specialized quantum systems.