The Quantum Conundrum: How to prepare now | PwC Global

How to prepare now for Quantum’s challenges and opportunities Insight 4 minute read March 15, 2025 Share Copy Link Link Copied Close The line between science fiction and reality is wearing thin, thanks in large part to how AI has quickly and irrevocably changed the ways in which we work and live. Now with recent advancements in quantum computing, that line may soon become a double-edge sword for business leaders concerned about safeguarding their data. Rob Joyce, PwC US Cyber, Risk & Regulatory Senior Fellow, former Cybersecurity Director, National Security Agency, shares his thoughts on quantum computing. Quantum computers – machines capable of exponential leaps in computational power beyond the “bits” of classical computing – could theoretically break today’s standard encryption methods, putting sensitive business, government, and other private personal data at risk. Yet quantum also promises greater security, using the same principles to confirm that no one can tamper with or intercept cryptographic keys without detection.

This is the Quantum Conundrum – a paradox that forces us to balance both quantum’s benefits and risks with a thoughtful and measured approach. The challenge is deciding how to pivot from existing classical computing systems to ones that can stand up to these next-generation capabilities and safeguard sensitive data.

With technology innovation moving faster than ever, there’s little time to waste. Businesses should prepare now for data security in a post-quantum world.

What is quantum technology? Quantum computers work very differently from the classical computers we use today. Instead of processing information one step at a time, quantum computers can consider many possibilities at once, making them incredibly powerful for certain tasks. Imagine doing a jigsaw puzzle when every piece can be tried in every possible position and orientation simultaneously. This means a quantum computer could potentially solve more complex problems much faster than traditional computers.

Although specialists already know how quantum computers could break current encryption, the technology isn't powerful enough – yet. But it’s coming – last December, Google’s 105-qubit (quantum bit) Willow processor performed a computation that the world’s most advanced supercomputer would have needed 10 septillion (10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000) years to achieve.

Google’s 105-qubit (quantum bit) Willow processor performed a computation that the world’s most advanced supercomputer would have needed 10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 years to achieve.

SourceGoogle Is quantum computing an immediate threat to data security? Quantum opens up exciting possibilities, including faster data analysis, breakthrough research, and more efficient supply chains. But it also sparks legitimate concerns. Many standard cryptographic techniques that protect financial transactions, personal records, and trade secrets could be rendered obsolete by a sufficiently advanced quantum machine.

In October 2024, articles emerged claiming “Chinese scientists hack military-grade encryption on a quantum computer.” Spoiler alert: this wasn't quite the quantum computing apocalypse the first articles made it out to be. The researchers worked on a trivial problem with a relative of a quantum computer that isn't capable of running the necessary algorithms to break the encryption we rely upon.

While the actual threat was far from substantial and did not represent any immediate danger to current encryption standards, it nevertheless serves as a valuable reminder that quantum’s timeline is unpredictable. Many specialists predict that quantum computers capable of threatening existing encryption could be less than a decade away – however, because data today can be stored and then decrypted in the future, all that cybercriminals need to do is wait until quantum technology catches up. The potential for this kind of “store now, decrypt later” attack is driving a worldwide race to develop and standardize post-quantum algorithms complex enough to withstand quantum decryption attempts.

What does the government say about quantum? In May 2022, the White House issued a Presidential Executive Order directing the acceleration of the release of quantum-resistant encryption standards. It also required government departments and agencies to transition to quantum-resistant algorithms by 2035.

The US Government ran a public competition to develop new encryption algorithms and set standards that can safeguard against future quantum threats. The next phase is to plan the upgrade path for software and systems to use this new protection.

What key steps should I take to prepare? Assess your risk profile The first step on the road to quantum-resistant security is discovery and inventory. Where is public key cryptography used in your enterprise? Who maintains the software that has encryption and authentication routines? This is not just about the encryption that secures communication but also the authentication protocols that secure access to your systems. Quantum computers could also break protections (e.g., digital signatures) that confirm software is trusted and that documents haven't been altered.

Talk to your vendors and partners Are they tracking these concerns? Do they have a plan for a transition to quantum resistance? Ask your security vendors, consultants, and industry partners about their specific steps towards quantum resistance. And keep in mind that this is an industry-wide issue. The external ecosystem such as cloud and network providers have skin in the game and should also be dealing with this risk.

Budget for the quantum transition You will need to update your software, systems, and services to use quantum-resistant algorithms. Budgeting now can prevent future risks and enable a smoother transition, similar to the successful Y2K preparations.

Stay informed and educate your team Encourage your IT and security teams to monitor developments in quantum computing. Share updates across leadership so decisions can be made with the right context.

Address your crypto agility This is the ability to update your cryptography as standards emerge and evolve. By embracing crypto agility, systems can remain secure and compliant in the face of advancements in both classical and quantum cryptography.

Collaborate and communicate Collaboration between business leaders, policymakers, and cybersecurity specialists is key. Regularly communicate the roadmap to stakeholders so there’s clarity and buy-in when it’s time to transition.

Turn the Quantum Conundrum to your advantage The interest in developing quantum computers is real. Corporate private data, such as financial information, personal communications, sensitive business records, defence information, and intellectual property may be threatened by a capable quantum computer. More importantly, the keys to critical infrastructure access are also at risk. Recent nation state intrusions into energy grids, water treatment facilities, and large-scale communications systems demonstrated that the threat will be broad.

As with any monumental technology shift, quantum computing demands foresight, adaptability, and collaboration. When we stop thinking of quantum as purely a threat or purely a solution, we can better prioritize investments, start testing post-quantum encryption, and stay close to research developments so we’re better prepared for the post-quantum future.

Sources Chinese Scientists Hack Military-Grade Encryption on a Quantum Computer Executive Order on Enhancing the National Quantum Initiative Advisory Committee White House to require post-quantum encryption plans from agencies How we can help Learn more Contact Sean Joyce

Partner, Global Cybersecurity & Privacy Leader, PwC United States

Email View More Follow us PwC office locations Site map Contact us © 2017 - 2026 PwC. All rights reserved. PwC refers to the PwC network and/or one or more of its member firms, each of which is a separate legal entity. Please see http://pwc.zhutiblog.com/com/structure for further details. This content is for general information purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for consultation with professional advisors.

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