IBM's Europe and Africa vice-president Alessandro Curioni has raised alarm over India's preparedness for quantum computing threats, highlighting that most organizations remain vulnerable to potential breaches from next-generation quantum-enabled cyberattacks.
- Under 10% of organizations globally are quantum-safe today
- Quantum computers could break encryption protecting sensitive data
- India urged to strengthen quantum-resistant cyber defenses by 2035
What happened
At a recent technology conference in London, Alessandro Curioni, IBM's vice-president for Europe and Africa, emphasized that the vast majority of organizations worldwide—including those in India—are not prepared for the cybersecurity challenges posed by quantum computing. He noted that less than 10 percent of organizations have adapted or upgraded their security infrastructures to be quantum-safe. While IBM is working toward developing large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computers capable of solving complex problems by 2029, these powerful machines also threaten to crack current encryption methods safeguarding critical information.
Curioni highlighted the severe risk quantum computing presents to the financial sector, blockchain technologies, digital signatures, and other key areas relying on encryption. He warned that malicious actors could potentially launch cyberattacks targeting banks, financial institutions, and industries once quantum computers reach the necessary power to decipher encrypted data. Despite current quantum computers lacking sufficient capability for such attacks, there is concern that encrypted data might already be harvested now to be decrypted later as quantum technology advances.
Why it matters
The potential for quantum computers to break encryption threatens to undermine the security of vast amounts of sensitive data including financial transactions, personal information, and government communications. India's expanding digital economy and increasing reliance on digital services make it particularly susceptible to these emerging threats. Failure to upgrade cybersecurity protocols to quantum-resistant standards could expose Indian entities to unprecedented cyber risks in the near future.
Global experts and governments like the UK have begun recommending transitions toward quantum-resistant cryptographic systems by 2035 to mitigate these risks. The stakes are high for India as it competes in the global technology landscape and must safeguard critical infrastructure against evolving cyber threats. Moreover, the convergence of quantum computing with AI capabilities could exponentially increase the sophistication and impact of cyberattacks, escalating the urgency for preemptive security measures.
What to watch next
India's response to the challenge of quantum-enabled cyberattacks will be crucial in the coming decade. Observers should monitor policy developments around quantum-safe cryptography standards, investments in quantum technology research, and collaborations between public and private sectors to enhance cybersecurity resilience. IBM's ongoing efforts toward delivering commercially viable large-scale quantum computers by 2029 will also be a key milestone shaping industry readiness.
Additionally, the global race involving the U.S., China, France, and other leading nations to harness quantum computing's transformative potential will influence technology transfer and security dynamics for India. The development of frameworks to detect and respond to quantum-related cyber threats, including strategies addressing the potential threat of data harvested today for future decryption, will be critical areas to watch for security-conscious organizations.