Securing the Quantum Future Demands Action Today

(IYQ partners)

With quantum technologies shifting from theoretical potential to real-world deployment, we believe the urgency to secure our digital future has never been greater.

Our modern world runs on digital infrastructure, financial systems, healthcare networks, energy grids, and national security, all secured by cryptographic designs for classical computing. These systems have served us well for decades, but they are not equipped to withstand the disruptive power of quantum computing.

Quantum computing is redefining what’s possible in computation. Unlike classical machines, which process information in binary bits, quantum machines rely on qubits that can exist in multiple states simultaneously. This extraordinary capability enables them to solve certain problems exponentially faster than traditional counterparts, advancing areas such as drug discovery, climate modeling, and logistics optimization. Yet, the same power that makes quantum computing so promising also poses a direct threat to the cryptographic algorithms that safeguard digital communications and data.

The greatest near-term threat lies in public-key cryptography. Algorithms such as RSA and ECC, which rely on the difficulty of factoring large numbers and the discrete logarithm problem over elliptic curves, respectively, are particularly susceptible to quantum attacks. Using Shor’s algorithm, quantum computers will eventually be capable of breaking these encryption schemes in a fraction of the time required by classical machines.

This is not a distant threat. The concept of harvest now, decrypt later is already being employed, where malicious actors collect encrypted data today with the intention of decrypting it once quantum capabilities become available. Sensitive information, from personal health records to classified communications, is being stockpiled, awaiting the moment when quantum decryption becomes possible. The implications are profound: breaches that occur years from now could expose data that was once assumed to remain secure for decades.

Transitioning to quantum-resilient systems is therefore not optional—it is essential. Post-quantum cryptography (PQC) offers one of the most promising paths forward, featuring algorithms designed to resist quantum attacks while remaining compatible with existing infrastructure.

In the UAE, we are taking proactive steps to prepare for this new frontier. The UAE CyberSecurity Council and the Technology Innovation Institute (TII)have joined forces on CyberQ, an event dedicated to advancing research, standards, and readiness for quantum-safe cybersecurity. CyberQ is designed to help organizations across both the public and private sectors identify their quantum vulnerabilities, evaluate post-quantum cryptographic solutions, and accelerate the transition to secure communication systems that withstand future quantum threats. Through CyberQ, we are combining policy leadership and advanced scientific capability to strengthen the UAE’s role as a global contributor to quantum security. Together, CSC and TII are collaborating with international experts, industry partners, and standards bodies to safeguard our digital infrastructure and protect the critical assets that underpin our nation’s security in the quantum era.

However, adoption across industries remains uneven. Too often, quantum threats are seen as speculative when, in reality, the groundwork for future breaches is being laid today.

The challenge is not merely technical. It is strategic.

Cryptographic systems are deeply embedded in our digital fabric, and transitioning to new standards will require coordination across sectors and sustained and decisive leadership.

Policy frameworks must evolve in tandem with technological advancements. Governments must update regulatory frameworks to guide the adoption of PQC, incentivize migration, and support public-private partnerships that accelerate readiness.

International cooperation is also essential. Quantum threats do not respect borders, and fragmented responses will leave critical gaps in global security.

Just as crucial is fostering crypto-agility, the readiness to evolve cryptographic systems as threats emerge. Now is the time for organizations to evaluate their vulnerabilities, map their cryptographic assets, and prepare for a hybrid era where classical and quantum-safe algorithms work side by side.

The quantum future is not a distant horizon; it is approaching rapidly. The decisions we make today will determine whether our digital infrastructure remains resilient or becomes a casualty of technological progress.

Through initiatives like CyberQ, we are committed to leading this transformation, combining policy, research excellence, and international collaboration to secure the quantum future, starting now.

As leaders in cybersecurity and advanced research, we share a single goal: to ensure that the world approaches the quantum future with foresight, responsibility, and cooperation.

Protecting digital trust in the quantum age will demand global resolve and shared responsibility, as what we build together today will determine the security and integrity of the digital world for generations to come.