Quantum computing is no longer the stuff of science fiction. With companies like IBM and Google both making rapid advances in quantum research, we’re moving closer to a world where quantum computers could solve problems far beyond the capability of todays machines. But with this new power comes a massive threat, especially in the world of cybersecurity.
How Quantum Computing Works: A Simple Analogy
To make quantum computing easier to understand, let’s use an analogy. Imagine you’re trying to find a single item in a huge library. A classical computer is like searching through the library one book at a time—if there are millions of books, it could take a long time to find the right one. A quantum computer, on the other hand, is like having thousands of copies of yourself searching all the books at once, dramatically speeding up the process.
In a classical computer, bits are like individual pages, either blank or filled with information (0s and 1s). Quantum computers, however, use quantum bits (qubits), which can be in multiple states simultaneously, like a page that can be both blank and filled with text at the same time. This ability to process many possibilities at once means quantum computers can solve incredibly complex problems much faster than classical computers.
What Quantum Computing Means for Cybersecurity
Today’s encryption methods rely on the fact that solving certain mathematical problems like factoring large prime numbers, takes classical computers so long that it’s practically impossible. For example, AES 256-bit encryption is widely considered unbreakable by today’s standards because it would take millions of years for todays computers to crack.
However, a sufficiently powerful quantum computer could crack this encryption in hours or even minutes. Shor’s Algorithm, a quantum algorithm, makes it exponentially faster for quantum computers to solve the same mathematical problems that underpin today’s encryption. Once cybercriminals gain access to quantum computers, encryption standards like AES 256-bit will no longer provide the security we rely on today.
How Far Away is Quantum Computing for the Masses?
The good news is that quantum computing for the masses is still several years away. Most experts believe that large-scale quantum computers aka the kind capable of breaking encryption are at least 10 to 20 years away from being widely available. While quantum research is advancing quickly, there are still major hurdles to overcome, such as scaling up the number of qubits and solving issues with quantum error correction.
This means that the immediate threat isn’t here yet, but the risk is on the horizon. It’s crucial to start preparing now because quantum computing is evolving rapidly. Organisations that don’t future-proof their encryption strategies could find their data exposed when quantum computers become powerful enough to break today’s encryption standards.
Data Stolen Today, Cracked Tomorrow
What’s especially concerning is that cybercriminals don’t need to wait for quantum computers to be widely available. Data stolen today can be stored and cracked later once quantum technology becomes more advanced. Sensitive data like personal information, financial records, or government secrets that are encrypted now may be broken open in the coming years when quantum computers can tackle encryption far faster. This means that the window for stolen data to remain secure is closing, and organisations need to prepare now for this eventuality.
IBM’s Work on Quantum-Safe Encryption
As an IBM partner we have been lucky to spend time with the teams working in this area. IBM are not only leading the way in quantum computing research but also in developing defences against quantum-powered attacks. What is really interesting when we think about cyber security and backup is that IBM is pioneering quantum-safe cryptography, which aims to create encryption that can withstand attacks from quantum computers. One promising area of research is something called lattice-based cryptography, which relies on problems that even quantum computers struggle to solve.
What This Means for Businesses and Cybercriminals
Once quantum computers become accessible to cybercriminals, the threat landscape will shift dramatically. Encryption standards we trust today could be rendered ineffective, leaving sensitive data exposed.
Preparing for a Quantum Future
While quantum computing’s impact on encryption may still be 10 to 20 years away, the time to act is now. Organisations should begin evaluating their encryption strategies, staying informed about quantum-safe solutions, and following leaders like IBM and Google who are developing quantum-resistant cryptography. The data you protect today could become vulnerable tomorrow if you don’t plan for a quantum computing future.
