Curated from Latest from TechRadar US in News,opinion — Here’s what matters right now:
There’s a ticking clock in the world of cybersecurity and it’s counting down to what experts call Q Day — the day when quantum computers will theoretically become powerful enough to break some of today's cryptographic methods, and render many existing encryption methods obsolete. Or at least that’s the theory. In truth, nobody can predict with absolute accuracy when, or even if, quantum computers will reach the level of sophistication and practicality to manifest this threat. But that doesn’t mean businesses shouldn’t be thinking about it. While some are hearing the tick of the Q Day clock, others remain unaware. So, what is Q Day, is it a big deal, and what do businesses need to know to prepare? Do businesses need to be aware of Q Day? The short answer is yes. The potential threat that quantum computers could pose to current cybersecurity methods cannot be understated. What was once academic theory, akin to technology you’d see in a science fiction novel, is making strides towards reality. Big companies like IBM and Google, as well as governments and startups, are racing to build more powerful quantum machines. These computers are still in the early stages, but they’ve already grown from handling a few quantum bits (or “qubits”) to managing hundreds, and they’re getting better at solving complex, specific problems. While quantum computers can’t yet break the encryption software and protocols that protects the internet, experts seem to be reaching a consensus that the day that this could be a reality is about 10-15 years away. This is the so-called Q Day. Aside from the obvious threat that breaking current encryption poses, businesses also need to be aware that the rise in quantum technology is being taken seriously by governments and regulators alike. Agencies like the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have standardized post-quantum cryptographic (PQC) algorithms, while Europe’s ENISA is focused on standardizing the implementation and certification of PQC through schemes such as EUCC, all in preparation for Q Day. When is Q Day? Unfortunately, as with all things quantum, answering when Q Day will be is not simple, because no one knows for sure. It’s all dependent on when (and if) the technology reaches a specific level of capability and practicality. And it’s not only about the number of qubits. However, the speed at which quantum computing is moving forward has prompted agencies like the UK National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to put timelines in place. The NCSC’s timeline for migrating to a quantum safe method of encryption has three phases: discovery and planning by 2028, early migration by 2031, and full migration by 2035. That gives businesses a maximum of six years to plan and prepare to migrate their critical assets. But again, this timeline is not set in stone — Q Day could come sooner than 2035, later, or it could never come. It’s difficult because we are talking about technology that hasn’t realized its theoretical
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Original reporting: Latest from TechRadar US in News,opinion