Quantum Technology Is a Threat to Data Security. It’s Also Part of the Solution

As digital technology becomes more sophisticated, so do the associated risks. The average cost of a data breach is now almost $4.5 million, and ensuring data security and privacy are rapidly escalating business priorities. Companies are being forced to rethink their digital security strategies to minimize risks to their operations, employees and customers.

Fast-evolving quantum computers may further increase these risks, and as we look to a future enhanced by quantum technology, businesses will need to adapt to a heightened threat landscape.

It will take between five and 10 years for the necessary developments in hardware, software and error correction to bring quantum computing into the mainstream. While not yet mature, the technology is making faster progress than initially expected, says Sonali Mohapatra, Quantum Innovation Sector Lead at the UK’s National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC).

The Global Risk Institute estimates that by 2030, there will be an 11% to 31% probability that quantum computers will be able to break our most prevalent cryptographic methods, which are based on the factorization of large prime numbers. And this probability will only increase.

This poses a tremendous threat to every enterprise or organization that relies upon trusted data as its lifeblood, says Martin Charbonneau, Head of Quantum-Safe Networks at Nokia.

For mission-critical industries such as defense, transportation, energy and utilities, security breaches can prove catastrophic. They can involve state actors, nation-to-nation conflicts and the disruption of critical systems. But the effects can be equally serious for financial institutions, research facilities and health care operations.

“That is where we are seeing a lot of momentum right now, because those industries have the kind of sensitive information that has been—and needs to remain—private for a very long time,” Charbonneau says.

According to Mohapatra, “The key to overcoming this challenge lies in leveraging quantum computing to develop more robust cryptographic systems.”

Unwavering trust in the integrity, confidentiality and authenticity of data while minimizing risk is essential. Adopting a defense-in-depth strategy, which incorporates multiple layers of complementary and additive quantum-safe cryptography across both applications and networks, will make it harder for threat actors to compromise our data. And this is what quantum-safe networks—an outcome-based solution—aim to achieve.

Quantum-safe networks provide essential protection for quantum computing. By integrating quantum-safe technologies, such networks are fortified against future cyber threats, hindering malicious actors. This approach also mitigates risks from current threats, such as attacks in which encrypted data is harvested and stored by bad actors, with the intention of decrypting it once quantum computers become capable.

Many enterprises are not yet aware of the security risks that could arise in the quantum era. Making more companies aware of the rapid evolution of quantum technology—and the need to employ quantum-safe solutions for data security and privacy in this new era—is fundamental to ensuring that we can safely benefit from its potential.

Industries need quantum-safe data, application and networking solutions because it is critical to protect the privacy and security of the information we put on digital networks. In fact, without that protection, AI, automation and other data projects have no purpose. 

Investing in quantum-safe networks will reduce the risks faced by organizations due to quantum computers’ encryption-busting abilities. As cyber threats evolve, quantum-safe networks deliver multi-layered security, defending against both current and future cyber threats.

For companies ready to explore quantum-safe solutions and wondering where to start, Charbonneau recommends establishing a task force to educate your team, assess risks, plan, implement, and then continuously update your solutions. 

“We have no plan B—this is why quantum-safe networks are essential for the future,” Charbonneau says. “We must elevate the game toward reaching this outcome.”