The Arrest Of A NATO Contractor Indicates Quantum Computing Advances In The Defense Sector

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Written by

Pantera

Bitcoin Is Cash

1 year ago

Topics: Quantum Computers, Technology, Cryptocurrency, Blockchain, Cryptography

Quantum Computing Is Closer Than We Thought With Implications To Cryptocurrency

Quantum computing is now a matter of homeland security for the US and probably the rest of the world.

According to almost every publication, quantum computing was supposedly not possible within this or even the next decade, with pundits and experts alike suggesting how we should curb our expectations.

However, when the smuggling of quantum computer technology and arrests of high-profile individuals related to the NATO defense sector takes place, we suspect that secret research advances far faster than what the media and the scientific community announced.

Such is the case of the head of Aratos (a NATO contractor), who was recently arrested in Paris (May 9th) after the US issued an international arrest warrant accusing the CEO of espionage and double selling sensitive advanced military intelligence technology to Russia since 2017, while secretly cooperating with Russian secret agencies.

The actual news was not the arrest, which we will also discuss, but the fact that the defense sector is already ahead in quantum computing, weaponizing this technology. Moreover, the issues and implications that emerge with the rise of this futuristic advancement.

The facts of this case suggest that quantum computing has already advanced enough to be the focus of industrial espionage.

Perhaps this technology is not decades away as the media suggests, but it is already applicable, at least in the confined space of the US defense department.

Aratos

Aratos is a European company focused on IT development for defense, space, and security sectors, also associated the last few years in blockchain infrastructure with its subsidy company Blockchain2050 which utilizes the LTO Network (an Ethereum clone) for smart contracts and blockchain capabilities.

This subsidy of Aratos presented innovative solutions in supply chains and waste management but also expanded into advancing a market for satellite images using cryptocurrencies for payments, and adopted various blockchain capabilities for the banking and governance sector. The company also supported NFT collections in cooperation with artists and retail corporations.

The security department of the parent company, Aratos, it was dealing with trading and integration of new technologies between NATO nations, participating in conventions, and reaching contract agreements with various EU governments.

The company’s 59 years old CEO, Dr. Nikolaos Bogonicolos (Ph.D. in mathematics) was arrested recently in Paris and is about to be extradited to the US with charges of industrial espionage, accused of conspiring to smuggle sensitive military technology to Russia.

The Not-So-Secure Messaging / Chating Apps

From reports and information we receive it appears that the charges and the extradition against Dr. Nikolaos Bogonicolos, are based on transcripts extracted from private communications, uncovered from apps that advertised communications privacy and security features.

We can discover several of these apps advertised as supportive of secure and private communications, but as many suspected, they always contain a backdoor.

In the past, a similar app was created by secret agencies and succeeded in uncovering and arresting leaders of several criminal rings involved with drugs and human trafficking.

The details of the accusations against Aratos CEO contain the transfer of quantum computing and particle accelerator equipment.

Implication To Cryptographic Systems

The media keeps us in the dark regarding quantum technology advancements, with the scientific community explaining how this technology will not be ready until several decades later.

This is not the case though, since next-gen weapons and military capabilities already begin integrating quantum computing technology.

The role of quantum computing in military and defense operations will be vast, but the technology is not decades away.

The rise of quantum computing, even confined to the military sector, creates implications for the security of traditional cryptographic methods like SHA256 (Secure Hash algorithm and ECC (Elliptic Curve Cryptography) which Bitcoin uses, or other advanced cryptographic models used by blockchain networks.

Several theories suggest that quantum computing is far from threatening the security of cryptocurrency, still, the technology has apparently evolved far beyond what these theories suggest.