Other recent blogs
The technology space is all about progress. The entire landscape of tech has undergone a sea change in the last one decade.
Look at the way AI and more specifically, GenAI, has upended how businesses build and move forward. Another crucial development that I see taking a very concrete shape is ‘Quantum Computing.’
The best minds in the tech space are closely observing the developments in the space of quantum computing. And why wouldn’t they? Quantum computing promises a whole new era of possibilities and performance.
Unlike our traditional computing or computer systems, these quantum computers will be extremely powerful. It’s an emerging field in the Computer Science space and contains a range of disciplines, such as quantum hardware and quantum algorithms. The core focus of the field is to build systems and solutions that will be able to solve complex problems that even supercomputers can’t solve, or can’t solve fast enough.
Another interesting thing about quantum computing is its association with one very famous and widely revered scientist and physicist. Can you think of his name?
Well, I’m talking about Sir Richard P Feynman. In several of his papers back in the 1960s and 1980s, he talked about quantum computing. Here’s Richard’s 1960 paper: There’s Plenty of Room at the Bottom. His 1982 paper: Simulating physics with computers. And his 1985 paper: Quantum Mechanical Computers.
It’s interesting to see how much closer we’ve come to what this great mind once proposed and thought about!
Now, quantum computing is great. And so many tech start-ups and tech giants. And we might see some of the first generation of quantum computers in a matter of a few years. However, there’s another side to this ‘great technological innovation.’ And that side is what most tech and security leaders are wary about.
The ‘criminals’ are very much likely to use the power of quantum computing to shatter all our existing security protocols, think ‘RSA (Rivest-Shamir-Adleman) and Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC), get hold of sensitive data that can jeopardize the reputation and growth of any business.
It’s true that quantum computers have not yet hit the market. And that there are numerous challenges that can impact the practicality and feasibility of these computers. To begin with, we have limited availability of the ‘scarce materials’ that go into the making of these powerful machines. Unlike our classical computers, which are built using commonly available silicone, quantum processors require superconducting materials such as niobium. These materials are in short supply. Additionally, there are high costs associated with the extraction and refinement of these materials. So, if you look at it, companies in this space have a lot to do before they can get to building the required hardware for quantum computers at scale.
However, sooner or later, quantum computing will become mainstream. To stay ahead of these post-quantum threats, forward-looking businesses must start building a ‘proofing strategy’ to protect their invaluable resources against possible threats. That’s where ‘quantum proofing’ comes into play.
Quantum proofing is ‘all the planning and actions’ taken to safeguard a business against quantum attacks
As quantum computers inch closer to reality, the security of our digital world faces an existential challenge—one that demands urgent action. Our current cryptography methods - whether it is RSA, ECC (Elliptic Curve Cryptography) or Diffie Hellman - most likely won’t be able to stand firm against the attacks carried out by these insanely powerful computers. So the challenge before us is to build something that could stand against a whole new breed of cyber-attacks - Quantum attacks. That's where the need emerges for an equally powerful and sophisticated wall of defense - Quantum proofing.
However, before we get into the ‘why to think about quantum proofing when quantum computers are yet to become a reality or a mainstream thing,’ let’s talk a bit about ‘quantum threats,’ and ‘how disastrous such an attack can be.’
First, our current data encryption methods depend on the difficulty of a large number of factoring-a task that will take classic computers thousands of years. However, with the algorithm of noise, a sufficiently powerful quantum computer can crack this encryption for just hours or minutes, making today's safety protocols obsolete. This means that sensitive data, including financial transactions, government communication, and personal information, may be unsafe for cyber threats overnight.
However, a more pressing concern in the advancements in the quantum computing arena is not about what the future might entail, but also about the present: The bad actors might actually be collecting your encrypted sensitive data, to later decrypt and misuse that with quantum computers. While the fully functional quantum computer machines that are able to break the encryption are not yet here, fast progress from companies such as Google, IBM and Microsoft are enough hints that organizations must work now.
Before I share a few tips on how any business can get started with quantum proofing their data, apps, and other business-critical assets, let me quickly share a few stats with you. These stats clearly demonstrate how losing data in the wrong hands can quickly derail your business.
- According to data cited by Anne Neuberger, U.S. Deputy National Security Advisor for cyber and emerging technologies, the annual average cost of cybercrime is predicted to hit more than $23 trillion in 2027, up from $8.4 trillion in 2022.
- It can take a pretty long time to even identify and contain a data breach. On average, it takes about 258 days for security teams to identify and contain a data breach, according to "Cost of a Data Breach Report 2024," released by IBM and Ponemon Institute.
- The dramatic rise in the GenAI landscape has also led to a sharp increase in the phishing attacks which have increased by a whopping 4,151% since ChatGPT's public debut in late 2022 according to "The State of Phishing 2024" report from SlashNext.
The above stats are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what can happen if we leave our business assets to chance. The good news is that there’s a lot that you can do to start building a stronger safety net around your business.
How to quantum-proof your organization before it’s too late?
One of the first things you can do to quantum-proof your business is to adopt a very proactive approach in this regard. Start with your current security posture. Acknowledge that current cryptographic standards, such as RSA and ECC, will eventually be vulnerable. You must start a mindful transition toward post-quantum cryptography - to look for algorithms or security layers that can withstand quantum threats. Also, these solutions need to be such that they can seamlessly integrate or build on your existing security infrastructure.
Furthermore, you need to realize that cryptography alone won’t be enough to safeguard your digital assets. You’d require a much broader strategy that focuses on continuous monitoring, risk assessments, and collaboration with industry-leading security experts. Governments and global security bodies are also working on developing robust quantum-resistant standards. To strengthen your security stance, you must also move forward in tandem with their findings and recommendations.
To summarize, quantum computing is only a few years away at best. Yes, there’re all sorts of challenges in bringing it to the market at scale. But sooner or later, it’ll be there. And so will be a new breed of attacks. To stay safe and secure, businesses must start investing in quantum-safe technologies, updating our security methodologies, and embracing a more focused security-first culture.
