Today’s topics include the launch of the WPA3 WiFi security standard, and Microsoft updating its Quantum Development Kit with improved debugging.
The Wi-Fi Alliance on June 25 announced the launch of the WiFi Certified WPA3 wireless security technology, providing wireless users with enhanced personal and enterprise security capabilities.
WPA3 is the successor to the widely deployed WPA2 WiFi security model, which has multiple weaknesses including the KRACK vulnerabilities disclosed in October 2017. Kevin Robinson, vice president of marketing at the Wi-Fi Alliance, said that rather than changing or replacing WPA2 protocols, “WPA3-Enterprise defines and enforces policies to deliver greater consistency in the application of those protocols to ensure desired security.”
For example, WPA3 reduces the susceptibility of networks to a successful attack by mandating policies around the use of Advanced Encryption Standard with legacy protocols, and delivers network resiliency by mandating the consistent use of Protected Management Frame protections.
Microsoft on June 22 updated its Quantum Development Kit, which was released in late 2017 and helps coders without expertise in quantum physics get started on developing software for quantum computers. In the latest update, Microsoft added new debugging features for Visual Studio to help developers improve the quality of their code.
According to Cathy Palmer, program manager of Quantum Software & Services at Microsoft, “The probability of measuring a ‘1’ on a qubit is now automatically shown in the Visual Studio debugging window, making it easier to check the accuracy of your code. … The release also improves the display of variable properties, enhancing the readability of the quantum state.”
In addition, Microsoft has added two new functions, DumpMachine and DumpRegister, that output the targeted quantum system’s probability information for a given point of time.