Jake Lyon | 2026 I.S. Symposium
Name: Jake Lyon
Title: Quantum Leap: An Exploration of the Development of Computing and Cryptography
Major: Computer Science
Minors: Religious Studies; Statistical and Data Sciences
Advisor: Dan Palmer
This work aims to explore the ideas of innovation and evolution in computation with in a framework of cybersecurity . To accomplish this exploration effectively, we selected three stages of computation to focus on. Circuitry, the Arduino, and quantum based computation. The first stage is the shift cipher on physical circuity, this shows off a simple form of computation and one of the first forms of encryption. The next phase utilizes an Arduino microcontroller to highlight software and hardware interaction. The Arduino demonstrates today鈥檚 encryption standard RSA at lower level of complexity to bring us to modern standards. The final phase explores quantum computing and its affects on the security of RSA. A demonstration into
breaking RSA is conducted as a final experiment for this work. Through a range of theories from basic logic to quantum computation this project shows the development of computation in the subject of encryption and cyber security. This project was exciting as it allowed me to create a physical circuit and gain hands on practical experience in that field of work.
Posted in Symposium 2026 on May 1, 2026.
