Quantum computing is closer than you think… but so are the risks

Quantum computing has long been seen as a distant concept - complex, hypothetical and always 10 years away. But recent announcements from the likes of Google, IBM and Microsoft suggest that the timeline may be accelerating. These tech giants are making tangible progress in stabilising and scaling quantum systems, moving the technology from theoretical to practical. However, while this shift has huge potential to transform sectors like drug discovery and material science, it also has unprecedented implications for the world of cybersecurity. 

Once quantum computing becomes viable at scale, much of today’s encryption - the backbone of secure communication, transactions and data storage - will be rendered obsolete. This means the systems that we rely on for privacy and security will need a complete overhaul. 

The problem? Most organisations still aren’t ready. Many underestimate the pace of change, or don’t yet grasp how high the stakes truly are. But, as quantum computing moves from research labs to real-world applications, every industry will need to act fast to protect sensitive data and future-proof critical systems. 

The state of quantum computing in 2025

Quantum computing always seemed a long way off…until suddenly, it didn’t. What changed?

One of the fundamental dependencies of this technology is the ability to produce large volumes of stable qubits. Qubits (short for quantum bits) are the building blocks for quantum computing, but unlike classic bits, which are binary (0’s or 1’s), qubits can exist in multiple states simultaneously thanks to a property called superposition. 

This trait gives quantum computers the ability to process enormous amounts of data, allowing them to handle complex problems much faster than traditional computers. But there’s a catch: qubits are notoriously fragile and prone to errors. To build a reliable quantum computer, you need to correct those errors - and that takes a lot of qubits. In fact, it takes about 10 unstable qubits just to create one stable, error-corrected qubit. So, to build a powerful and accurate quantum computer, you need thousands of qubits working together.

Despite this complexity, leading companies are making meaningful progress. While we’re still in the early stages, the race to produce scalable quantum systems is heating up. It could be commercially viable, at least in certain use cases, within the next five years. 

This timeline has major implications - especially when it comes to cryptography. 

Why current encryption won’t survive a quantum computer

Most modern encryption relies on the fact that it takes traditional computers an incredibly long time to break large numbers. Current algorithms like RSA (Rivest–Shamir–Adleman) and ECC (elliptic curve cryptography) depend on this fact to stay secure. 

Quantum computers, however, turn this assumption on its head. Using quantum algorithms like Shor’s algorithm, it becomes possible to factor large numbers exponentially faster than classical computers. In practical terms, this means that once quantum machines reach sufficient scale, they could rapidly crack the encryption that protects everything from financial transactions to personal medical data. 

In response, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and other regulatory bodies are already recommending the adoption of post-quantum cryptography - encryption methods designed to withstand attacks from quantum computers. These include lattice-based cryptography and hash-based signatures. While promising, these approaches often require longer key lengths and more processing power, meaning businesses will need to update both software and hardware to support them at scale. 

The hidden security risks

Unfortunately, however, the threat isn’t limited to future breaches. One of the most overlooked quantum risks is ‘harvest now, decrypt later’ attacks.’ In this scenario, a bad actor gains access to encrypted data today, perhaps through a system vulnerability or data breach, and stores it. At the time, the encryption is strong enough to protect the data, but once quantum decryption becomes possible, that same data becomes readable. 

This is especially dangerous in industries where data has a long shelf life: medical records, government communications, intellectual property and financial histories. If stolen now and decrypted in the future, the consequences could be dire. 

Start preparing today 

To stay ahead of the curve, organisations need to approach quantum computing not just as a scientific milestone, but as a business and security imperative. A few immediate steps can help lay the foundation. 

First, conduct a comprehensive inventory of where and how encryption is used across your systems, including stored data, data in transit, devices and vendor services. Understanding your current dependencies is essential for prioritising upgrades. 

Second, engage your vendors early. Quantum resilience isn’t just an internal issue. Organisations need to work closely with their suppliers and partners to make sure that the broader ecosystem, including third-party platforms, is committed to migrating to post-quantum cryptography standards. 

Finally, begin exploring quantum-native tools that can strengthen your security posture today. One example is Quantum Random Number Generators (QRNG), which produce truly random numbers by measuring unpredictable behaviours at the quantum level, like how particles move or change state. Unlike traditional ‘pseudo-random’ number generators, which are based on algorithms and can be reverse-engineered, QRNGs eliminate vulnerability and offer a stronger foundation for encryption. 

Quantum readiness is not just a security issue

There’s no denying the enormous promise of quantum computing. From solving complex optimisation problems, to accelerating drug discovery, improving AI models and simulating complicated systems, the possibilities are endless. 

But, with this promise comes risk. Organisations that fail to prepare will be exposed - not just from future data breaches, but to reputational damage, operational disruption and regulatory non-compliance. 

The good news? While quantum computing poses a serious challenge, it’s also one we can anticipate. With the right mindset, businesses can get ahead of the threat and position themselves to thrive in the quantum era. 

Because the quantum revolution isn’t coming. It’s already here.