Sufficiently powerful quantum computers would be capable of breaking current asymmetric encryption, undermining the security protections underpinning the security of financial transactions, sensitive data, and secure communications. Even in advance of the arrival of sufficiently capable quantum computer (an event sometimes described as Q-Day), adversaries could carry out harvest now, decrypt later attacks.
Preparing for Q-Day
Organizations, especially those handling long-duration secrets, and sectors such as finance, critical infrastructure, healthcare, and telecommunications are most at risk, the Infosecurity Europe panel agreed.
Karl Holmqvist, founder and chief executive of Lastwall, a provider of quantum-resilient cybersecurity products, told delegates that Q-Day will not be announced and businesses need to take action now in the face of a growing threat.
