The Future of Security: Cybersecurity and Quantum Computing

In a world constantly proving itself to be capable of producing innovation every minute, new technologies are now emerging, not just step by step, but with huge leaps. As we discussed in the last article, the rise of AI is providing some incredible innovations, and changing the way we operate not only as businesses but as a society as a whole. However, there is a new technology emerging which could make operations faster, smarter, and more efficient.

Imagine a computer so powerful it could solve problems in seconds that would take today’s fastest supercomputers thousands of years. This is the promise of quantum computing. Quantum computers have the potential to change everything. From medical breakthroughs to developing unbreakable cybersecurity solutions, this phenomenon is not only likely to change how we do business, but also how we see the universe.

While quantum computing is just one of three main areas of emerging quantum technology, it alone could account for nearly $1.3 trillion in value by 2035 and make unprecedented business capabilities possible. Government investors alone have pledged $34 billion in investments.

But what exactly is quantum computing? And why are companies, governments, and telecom leaders like du investing in it? Let’s break it down in simple terms, no physics degree required…

What is Quantum Computing?

Quantum computers are being developed to be useful for two main types of applications. Firstly, they are being designed to model the behaviour of physical systems and identify patterns and structures in information. Because of this, quantum computing is particularly useful for chemistry and science tasks.

Secondly, quantum computers can process data using mathematical techniques not accessible to classical computers. This means they can give structure to data and help discover patterns that classical algorithms alone might miss. In practice, this could be useful for tasks in industries like biology or finance.

Today, a lot of the work in quantum computing research involves searching for algorithms and applications within industries that are predicting their potential use, alongside building the new technology itself. 

Applications in the UAE

While the rest of the world is still trying to understand what quantum computing means, the UAE is already preparing for its arrival. The UAE isn’t just watching from the sidelines, it’s actively investing in quantum research, cybersecurity, and infrastructure to make sure it's ready for the next big leap in technology. The UAE’s quantum computing market was valued at about AED 76.4 million in 2024, and is projected to grow at 22% CAGR to reach AED 250 million by 2030.

Within the UAE’s infrastructure, the Technology Innovation Institute (TII) and the UAE Space Agency have developed the UAE’s first Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), featuring fibre-based and satellite links. A new ground station will use this to connect Masdar City via fibre, positioning the UAE with unhackable quantum-secure communication capabilities.

Partnerships have been built across the UAE to foster a national quantum ecosystem, encompassing education, government, and the private sector, to support technology development.

For cybersecurity, quantum computing offers significant potential. The UAE has already implemented post-quantum algorithms to future-proof its critical data and infrastructure.

From government-backed research institutes to telecom leaders like du, modernising their networks with quantum-resistant security, the UAE is positioning itself as a regional leader in the quantum race. Why? Because quantum computing could reshape everything, from how we protect sensitive data to how we discover new materials, optimise smart cities, and manage our energy grids.

How is du Tech Pioneering Change

As part of du’s commitment to progress innovation and support the nation’s goals, du Tech is leading the way for quantum applications. Through partnerships and investments, we will provide support, education, and infrastructure to the region and beyond.

In October last year, du joined a 5-year partnership with Accenture, to work on developing sovereign, quantum-resistant blockchain infrastructure. As quantum computers develop, it is essential that we are able to provide secure systems into the future, eliminating any risk of threat from current cryptographic protocols.

Whilst we haven’t yet released any native quantum computing hardware, we are investing heavily in high-performance infrastructure to lay the groundwork for future quantum workloads. Part of this is the GPUaaS platform that we launched in May, which supports government and enterprise customers, empowering large-scale AI and data-heavy applications, such as quantum computing. As well as this, our recent partnership with Microsoft to build hyperscale data centre in the UAE will support any future plans for AI and quantum computing innovations.

Our partnership with Cisco is also modernising our Security Operation Centre, paving the way for AI innovation, automation, and the integration of quantum-secure cryptographic mechanisms.

du Tech: From Cloud to Quantum  

Today, du Tech is focusing on AI, Cloud, and innovation. In the near future, we will be rolling out quantum computing, so we must prepare ourselves by hardening security, advancing infrastructure, and collaborating across the region to deliver the best results when we get there. When these systems become viable, we will be able to seamlessly integrate them into our telecom and enterprise services, supporting businesses, government, and individuals in the UAE.

du Tech is dedicated to continual innovation and always exploring through partnerships and research. This way, we can ensure our customers have access to the next big thing in digital innovation and can always rely on du to be one step ahead.

Jasim Al Awadi

Chief ICT Officer

du