HSBC tests AI security against quantum computing cyberattacks

HSBC bank announced that it has conducted a successful test to protect the financial institution from future attacks using quantum computing resources. To achieve this, the company has adopted quantum protection methods as well as artificial intelligence (AI).

According to the company, the purpose of the mechanism is to add an improved security platform to the HSBC AI Markets international trading terminal. store sensitive data and enable major transactions to occur without interference.

The experiment was used for: Protecting financial transactions worth 30 million euros (approximately R$ 157 million in direct conversion) was made between a European country and the United States, including the exchange of currency to the dollar. The platform uses infrastructure provided by partners BT, Toshiba and AWS, Amazon’s cloud computing service.

HSBC used a technique called Quantum Key Distribution as a protection mechanism. It transmits encryption keys to both parties of a financial transaction more securely than other methods and prevents spying or hijacking of more advanced systems.

Quantum computing in cybersecurity is already a reality

So far, no attacks have been carried out using quantum computing, but the aim is to prevent future actions. According to the bank, developing a more advanced encryption system takes time and if fraud in this format is done after it has begun, losses could be high.

The HSBC experiment will use the same underlying technology to deal with large volumes of data and perform a range of calculations and actions that existing systems cannot support.

Although still under development at this current stage, quantum computing is being used in calculations used in scientific experiments as well as in meteorological projections.