I began my technology career as a network security intern at a national cyber agency, where I discovered the fascinating world of cryptography—the invisible architecture of trust that enables billions to rely on the internet in their daily lives. Since then, I have seen the security landscape evolve, but few developments have threatened the foundations of cryptography as profoundly as quantum computing. Secure networks are the backbone of our digital society, and any risk to this trust fabric must be treated as a critical priority.
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates recently surprised the industry by bringing Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang’s stated timeline for quantum computing forward by almost a decade, saying that its phenomenal progress could make it useful in three to five years. In short, this is a serious flash point for any organization. If you don’t start planning for post-quantum cryptography now, you may risk your business's long-term data security.
Quantum computing is no longer a distant possibility but a very near-term reality. Recent breakthroughs have sped up its inevitability, bringing its disruptive potential ever closer to today’s business environment.
A New Computing Paradigm
Quantum computers are not merely faster versions of today’s computers—they represent a fundamentally different approach to processing information. Rather than relying on 1s and 0s that represent data, quantum computers use qubits to solve complicated problems quickly. When combined with generative AI, the potential gains reach polynomial-exponential levels, creating unimagined possibilities.
In finance, for example, quantum can swiftly optimize investment portfolios and detect fraud in real time. In the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, it can accelerate drug discovery and streamline logistics. Additionally, manufacturing can leverage quantum algorithms to enhance production efficiencies and optimize supply chains.
Quantum has the potential to tackle some of humanity’s most pressing challenges. Currently, about one-third of all food produced globally is wasted at various stages, from production and processing to distribution and consumption. At the same time, approximately one in 11 people lack access to sufficient food. By optimizing the food supply chain, quantum computing could play a crucial role in significantly alleviating the issue of world hunger.
In addition to its extraordinary potential, quantum also presents significant risks, specifically digital security. Today’s encryption methods, such as RSA and ECC, depend on mathematical problems that are challenging for classical computers to solve. However, a powerful quantum computer using Shor’s algorithm could break these encryptions in minutes, jeopardizing the confidentiality of sensitive information, including financial transactions and national secrets.
Understanding Quantum Risks
Gartner believes quantum computing will make traditional, asymmetric cryptography unsafe by 2029. This is a massive concern as encryption is the foundation for most modern cybersecurity practices, from securing customer data to protecting transactions and communications. By 2034, the analyst firm maintains that quantum computing technologies can break current encryption methods fully. If Gates’ forecast is correct, this could be much sooner.
Organizations operating in highly trust-sensitive industries, such as healthcare, financial services and the public sector, are especially exposed to “store now, decrypt later” (SNDL) attacks. Bad actors harvest encrypted data today, ready to decrypt it once quantum computing capabilities are mature enough to crack existing encryption techniques, exposing sensitive data to large-scale breaches. The hard truth is that you may not know you are vulnerable until it is too late.
Securing The Cloud
Major companies, including IBM, Microsoft and Amazon, already provide cloud-based access to quantum hardware and simulators for quantum algorithm experimentation. This involves transmitting sensitive data and proprietary algorithms over networks and processed via third-party infrastructures, introducing risks.
While cloud access provides scalability, global accessibility and integration with traditional computing resources, it also can raise security concerns, including data interception and user isolation breaches where a bad actor can access, alter or siphon off information from another user’s session or data. The evolving nature of quantum technology means that quantum cloud computing lacks mature security controls, leaving hybrid systems vulnerable to new attack vectors.
Organizations are left trusting the cloud and network providers’ security, so they must prioritize checking their quantum plans and not presume all will be secured automatically.
Prioritizing Security In The Quantum Era
With quantum computing advancing rapidly, the need to transition to quantum-resistant encryption technologies has never been more critical.
You should start moving towards post-quantum cryptography (PQC) now. Gartner warns that it will require more preparation than the Y2K or millennium bug issue. PQC demands the development of new cryptographic algorithms and is expected to dominate the high-volume/standard commercial application markets. It involves developing new cryptographic algorithms that can withstand quantum attacks, while providing a software solution that integrates with existing systems.
First, audit your current encryption methods and ensure that your infrastructure can manage these new algorithms. Second, make sure your systems can easily swap cryptographic algorithms without re-design. Run tests, ensure your quantum cloud services are secured, educate developers and leadership about the risks and monitor the quantum threat landscape.
A hardware approach is also available with quantum key distribution (QKD). It uses quantum physics to secure the distribution of symmetric encryption keys, creating a highly secure communications channel between two parties. For in-depth defenses, both PQC and QKD can be integrated to leverage the strengths of both approaches. For example, QKD can be used for key distribution, and PQC can be used for authentication, such as digital signatures.
Securing network and cloud environments against quantum computing attacks demands a multifaceted strategy, including adopting PQC and shifting to quantum-safe networking technologies. This requires working with a trusted partner to audit your infrastructure, select appropriate PQC algorithms, adapt network security devices and ensure your cloud is quantum-ready. Being crypto-agile lets you switch or update quantum-resistant cryptographic algorithms without disrupting business operations.
The Quantum Clock Is Ticking
With quantum computing only a few years away, quantum security is already a priority for trailblazing organizations working on developing and standardizing PQC and deploying QKD. You, too, must make it an urgent strategic imperative to safeguard your organization’s digital future.
