Quantum computing is a special topic area in quantum information science. A traditional computer has two states, on and off, while a quantum computer can also use a third state known as a superposition. This gives a quantum computer very unique capabilities, such as solving integer factorization very quickly. A traditional binary computer solves that particular mathematical problem slowly, whereas a quantum computer with an efficient algorithm can solve that same problem much more quickly. For example, in breaking RSA-2048, the time could be reduced from trillions of years to possibly just minutes.
Traditional computers measure their data in bits, but quantum computers utilize a ‘quantum bit’ or qubit. The main challenge for quantum computing is to keep qubits stable, which is a very important area of ongoing research and a requirement for the commercialization of quantum computers. As researchers build quantum computers with larger numbers of stable cubits, they can solve these difficult mathematical problems much more quickly.