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Analyze cryptographic protocols with the resource estimator

The Microsoft Quantum resource estimator is available on the Microsoft Quantum website to estimate the resources needed for different quantum hardware technologies to break encryption algorithms. This tool helps you to analyze the impact of quantum computing on the security of some classical encryption methods, and prepare for a quantum-safe future.

Note

To access the resource estimator on the Microsoft Quantum website, you need a Microsoft account.

The resource estimator for quantum-safe planning takes a set of four target parameters as input. The following table shows the allowed values for each input parameter:

Input parameter Values
Classical encryption algorithm Rivest–Shamir–Adleman (RSA)
Classical encryption algorithm Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC)
Classical encryption algorithm Advanced Encryption Standard (AES)
Key strength Standard
Key strength Enhanced
Key strength Highest
Qubit type Topological
Qubit type Superconducting
Qubit error rate Reasonable
Qubit error rate Optimistic

Use the resource estimator for quantum-safe planning

To use the resource estimator for quantum-safe planning, go to the Microsoft Quantum website.

  1. Select the arrows to switch between different selections of preset input parameters.
  2. Select Download to download the plot of the resource estimation results.
  3. To customize the resource estimation parameters, choose at least one option for each input parameter type. You can choose multiple combinations of parameters to compare results for different sets of qubit technologies and encryption algorithms.
  4. The results are displayed in a plot that shows the number of qubits and the run time required to break the encryption algorithms. Hover over the points on the plot to view information about the resource estimates.

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