How Quantum Computing Is Challenging Cybersecurity

Mitchell Booth, 21 Jan 2025

As digital transformation accelerates across industries, 2025 marks a pivotal year in cybersecurity and data protection. Quantum Computing comprises physics, computer science, and mathematics that utilizes quantum mechanics to solve complex problems faster than traditional computers. Quantum computing has begun to redefine how organizations assess, manage, and mitigate cyber risk.

Quantum computing is now transitioning into early practical applications. Unlike traditional computers, which process information in bits, quantum systems operate in qubits, allowing them to perform complex computations at lightning-fast speeds. The Rise of Quantum Threats

Current encryption methods rely on the computational difficulty of factoring large integers or solving discrete logarithms, which are tasks virtually impossible for classic machines to solve in a feasible timeframe. However, quantum algorithms threaten to dismantle these protections, making it theoretically possible for a sufficiently powerful quantum computer to break widely used encryption protocols.

Preparing for a Quantum Future

The cybersecurity landscape is seeing a decisive pivot toward quantum-resilient encryption. Organizations are actively evaluating and implementing Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC), which involves designing algorithms that are secure enough against attacks by quantum computers. The U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) released the first 3 finalized post-quantum encryption standards in August 2024. Other companies looking towards the future are already considering these standards and preparing for emerging algorithms in the quantum computing space.

Strategic Decisions for 2025

To stay ahead, business leaders must assess their quantum readiness now. This includes:

• Conducting crypto-inventory audits


• Investing in quantum-safe infrastructure


• Educating staff on cybersecurity risk


• Engaging with cybersecurity vendors aligned with NIST recommendations


• Protecting long-term sensitive data


• Monitor developments in quantum computing


• Plan and test PQC migration paths

The intersection of quantum computing and cybersecurity is no longer a distant concern but an immediate strategic priority. Organizations that embrace quantum resilience today are protecting their data and future-proofing their digital ecosystems. It is time that businesses begin taking quantum computing threats more seriously.