Quantum Readiness for AI Security Teams

🚨 Two major new research papers just dropped that dramatically accelerate the quantum threat to crypto. Google Quantum AI optimized Shor’s algorithm down to roughly 1K logical qubits, potentially allowing private keys to be cracked in minutes on advanced superconducting hardware. A follow-up from Oratomic then brought neutral-atom implementations down to just 26K physical qubits with a runtime of around 10 days. This makes Q-Day feel much closer, within just a few years of being reachable. This year at Satoshi Roundtable the mood around quantum computing wasn’t very enthusiastic. We openly discussed how a powerful enough quantum computer could break ECDSA signatures (secp256k1) used across Bitcoin, Ethereum, and most protocols, exposing massive on-chain value including dormant and early-mined coins. The big question was: how do we prepare, and prepare well? Crazy times to be living through. Honestly, teams working in encryption and blockchain should seriously consider stopping everything else and prioritizing this now. It’s time to start integrating quantum-resistant encryption algorithms into modern protocols. No matter if a cryptographically relevant quantum computer arrives in one year or in five, adversaries are likely already collecting encrypted traffic and on-chain data today waiting to decrypt everything the day quantum power crosses that threshold. The shift is real: migrating to post-quantum cryptography is no longer optional. It’s urgent infrastructure work for wallets, bridges, staking, exchanges, and every system holding long-term value. https://lnkd.in/dGUR24xH

𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟴: 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗺 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 In today’s hyper-connected world, data is the new currency and the perimeter, and it is essential to safeguard them from Cyber criminals. The average cost of a data breach reached an all-time high of $4.88 million in 2024, a 10% increase from 2023. Advances in 𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗺 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 further threaten traditional cryptographic systems by potentially rendering widely used algorithms like public key cryptography insecure. Even before large-scale quantum computers become practical, adversaries can harvest encrypted data today and store it for future decryption. Sensitive data encrypted with traditional algorithms may be vulnerable to retrospective attacks once quantum computers are available. As quantum technology evolves, the need for stronger data protection grows. Google Quantum AI recently demonstrated advancements with its Willow processors, which 𝗲𝗻𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗱𝗲. These breakthroughs underscore the growing efficiency and scalability of quantum computers. To address these threats, Enterprises are turning to 𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗰𝗿𝘆𝗽𝘁𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗵𝘆 to prepare for Post Quantum era. Proactive Measures for Agile Cryptography and Quantum Resistance: 1. 𝗔𝗱𝗼𝗽𝘁 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘁-𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗺 𝗔𝗹𝗴𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗺𝘀 Transition to NIST-approved PQC standards like CRYSTALS-Kyber, CRYSTALS-Dilithium, Sphincs+. Use hybrid cryptography that combines classical and quantum-resistant methods for a smoother transition. 2. 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗴𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 Avoid hardcoding cryptographic algorithms. Implement abstraction layers and modular cryptographic libraries to enable easy updates, algorithm swaps, and seamless key rotation. 3. 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 Use Hardware Security Modules (HSMs) and Key Management Systems (KMS) to automate secure key lifecycle management, including zero-downtime rotation. 4. 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 Encrypt data at rest, in transit, and in use with quantum resistant standards and protocols. For unstructured data, use format-preserving encryption and deploy data-loss prevention (DLP) tools to detect and secure unprotected files. Replace sensitive information with unique tokens that have no exploitable value outside a secure tokenization system. 5. 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱 Develop a quantum-readiness strategy, audit systems, prioritize sensitive data, and train teams on agile cryptography and PQC best practices. Agile cryptography and advanced data devaluation techniques are essential for protecting sensitive data as cyber threats evolve. Planning ahead for the post-quantum era can reduce migration costs to PQC algorithms and strengthen cryptographic resilience. Embrace agile cryptography. Devalue sensitive data. Secure your future. #VISA #PaymentSecurity #Cybersecurity #12DaysofCyberSecurityChristmas #PostQuantumCrypto

🗞️ Needed report By CyberArk on a burning issue : identity security. A decisive element that will determine our ability to restore digital trust. 🔹 « Identity is now the primary attack surface. » Defenders must secure every identity — human and machine 🔹 with dynamic privilege controls, automation, and AI-enhanced monitoring 🔹and prepare now for LLM abuse and quantum disruption. Machine identities are the fastest-growing attack surface 🔹Growth outpaces human identities 45:1. 🔹Nearly half of machine identities access sensitive data, yet 2/3of organizations don’t treat them as privileged. Quantum readiness is urgent 🔹Quantum computing will break today’s cryptography (RSA, TLS, identity tokens). 🔹Transition planning to quantum-safe algorithms must start now, even before standards are finalized. Large Language Models include prompt injection, data leakage, and misuse of AI agents. So organizations must treat them as a new class of machine identity requiring monitoring, access controls, and secrets management. 🧰 What can we do? ⚒️ 1/ Implement Zero Standing Privileges (ZSP) • Remove always-on entitlements; grant access dynamically and just-in-time. • Minimize lateral movement by revoking privileges once tasks are complete 👥2/ Secure the full spectrum of identities • Differentiate controls for workforce, IT, developers, and machines. • Prioritize machine identities: vault credentials, rotate secrets, and eliminate hard-coded keys. 🛡️ 3/ Embed intelligent privilege controls • Apply session protection, isolation, and monitoring to high-risk access. • Enforce least privilege on endpoints; block or sandbox unknown apps. • Deploy Identity Threat Detection & Response (ITDR) for continuous monitoring. ♻️ 4/ Automate identity lifecycle management • Use orchestration to onboard, provision, rotate, and deprovision identities at scale. • Relieve staff from manual tasks, counter skill shortages, and improve compliance readiness. 5/ Align security with business and regulatory drivers • Build an “identity fabric” across IAM, PAM, cloud, SaaS, and compliance. • Tie metrics (KPIs, ROI, cyber insurance conditions) to board-level priorities. 6/ Prepare for next-generation threats • Establish AI/LLM security policies: control access, monitor usage, audit logs. • Begin phased adoption of post-quantum cryptography to protect long-lived sensitive data. Enjoy the read

Happy to see my article has been published at ABP Live on "Beyond AI: Why Quantum-Safe #Cryptography Is a Business Imperative in 2025" The alarming rise in cyberattacks—both in India and globally—makes one thing painfully clear: traditional encryption is no longer enough. In India alone, businesses stand to lose ₹20,000 crore this year, while global cybercrime costs are projected to reach $13.82 trillion by 2028. Even worse? The impending quantum era threatens to render our current cryptographic systems obsolete. Technologies like RSA, which power everything from internal communications to critical external collaborations, are vulnerable to quantum-enabled decryption. So what must businesses do right now? Embrace Quantum-Safe Messaging: Opt for end-to-end encrypted platforms designed to withstand quantum attacks, especially for communications with clients, partners, and vendors. Follow Standards and Best Practices: NIST has already rolled out the first wave of Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) standards—like ML-KEM for encryption and ML-DSA for digital signatures. Think Strategically, Not Just Tactically: Transitioning to PQC is more than a technical upgrade—it’s a strategic initiative. Build governance, crypto-agility, and roadmap planning into your cybersecurity strategy. What the world is doing: - Europe aims to migrate to quantum-safe encryption by 2030, starting with risk assessments and awareness campaigns in 2026 - The UK’s NCSC is urging organizations to begin full migration planning by 2028 and complete it by 2035 - Setting an example in the private sector, it has integrated post-quantum encryption into its WireGuard and Lightway protocols using NIST’s ML-KEM algorithm Reports from India’s BFSI sector show a worrying lack of readiness—yet almost 58% of CISOs recognize the threat within the next three years Key takeaway: Quantum-safe cryptography isn’t a futuristic concept—it’s a present-day necessity. The threat of "store now, decrypt later" attacks means the data we transmit today may be vulnerable tomorrow. Waiting isn’t an option Whether you’re in BFSI, government, telecoms, or healthcare, the time to act is now. Let’s lead the shift toward a secure quantum future. #QuantumSafe #Cybersecurity #PostQuantumCryptography #CryptoAgility #DigitalTrust #QuantumReady #QNulabs QNu Labs

Is quantum computing the next big cybersecurity threat? For decades, encryption has been our digital fortress. But quantum computing is challenging that foundation—and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Let me explain. Quantum computers, powered by qubits and quantum mechanics, have the potential to break today’s most secure encryption methods in record time. Algorithms like RSA, which protect everything from online transactions to national secrets, may soon become obsolete. Here’s the reality: → "Harvest Now, Decrypt Later": Cybercriminals are already storing encrypted data, waiting for the day quantum computers can crack it. → Encryption at Risk: Shor’s Algorithm and similar quantum innovations could dismantle current security protocols, leaving sensitive information vulnerable. → The Clock is Ticking: While quantum computers aren’t powerful enough yet, experts predict it’s only a matter of time. So, how do we prepare? → Post-Quantum Cryptography: Organizations like NIST are working on quantum-resistant algorithms to protect future data. → Quantum-Safe Protocols: Hybrid models combining classical and quantum encryption are emerging to secure transitions. → Risk Assessments and Training: Companies must identify vulnerabilities and educate cybersecurity teams on the implications of quantum advancements. The future of cybersecurity isn’t just about defending against traditional threats—it’s about staying ahead of quantum possibilities. Are we ready to face the next wave of cyber threats? Let’s discuss. 👇

In 2021, breaking RSA-2048 required an estimated 20 million qubits. In March 2026, after three papers in three weeks, that number dropped to as low as 10,000. That's not a typo. Three orders of magnitude in five years. And the algorithmic pipeline isn't slowing down. In the new Quantum Observer, I unpack the three papers that redrew the resource estimation map: → Google Quantum AI: <500,000 qubits to break Bitcoin's cryptography in 9 minutes → Oratomic/Caltech: Shor's algorithm on 10,000 neutral atom qubits (with a critical catch) → INRIA Rennes: the same team that compressed RSA now targeting elliptic curves I also introduce the CRQC Scorecard: my modality-by-modality assessment of how close each platform actually is. And the updated Q-Day Estimator tool where you can try yourself how far is each quantum computing modality from each paper's resources estimation. Plus: the U.S. intelligence community just elevated quantum to the same threat tier as AI. Google set a hard 2029 PQC migration deadline. I released the full PQC Migration Framework for free under Creative Commons. And silicon quantum computing quietly ticked its last box on the fault-tolerance checklist. The walls are closing in from both sides. The algorithmic side is compressing. The ecosystem deadlines are hardening. The case for inaction just collapsed. #quantumcomputing #quantumsecurity #pqc #postquantum #cybersecurity #bitcoin #cryptography #quantumready #pqcmigration #CRQC #qday #y2q

Quantum Computing Could Shatter Encryption Sooner Than Expected, Google Researcher Warns Introduction: A New Countdown for Cryptographic Security A new study by Google Quantum AI researcher Craig Gidney has dramatically reduced the estimated quantum computing power required to break RSA encryption, slashing previous projections by a factor of 20. While Bitcoin doesn’t use RSA, the breakthrough has serious implications for all public-key cryptography, including the elliptic curve algorithms used by cryptocurrencies. Key Findings and Implications • Quantum Cost of Breaking RSA Reassessed • Gidney’s paper shows that RSA encryption—used in securing data, digital certificates, and some crypto wallets—can be cracked with far fewer quantum resources than previously thought. • The update implies that quantum threats may arrive earlier than the cybersecurity community has prepared for. • Why It Matters for Crypto • While Bitcoin uses elliptic curve cryptography (ECC) rather than RSA, ECC is similarly vulnerable to Shor’s algorithm, which quantum computers could use to extract private keys from public ones. • This raises concerns for crypto holders, exchanges, and developers: if quantum computing advances faster than expected, today’s wallet protections may be obsolete. • No Immediate Threat—Yet • Current quantum machines still lack the millions of error-corrected qubits needed to execute these attacks. • However, the acceleration in theoretical research and hardware development means “crypto-agility”—the ability to switch to post-quantum encryption—should be a top priority. • Call to Action for Developers and Institutions • Security protocols across finance, healthcare, and defense rely on public-key cryptography. • Gidney’s findings reinforce calls for post-quantum cryptographic standards, already in development by agencies like NIST. • For crypto, it underscores the urgency of transitioning to quantum-resistant wallet and transaction structures before the risk becomes real. Why This Matters: The Quantum Clock Is Ticking This research represents more than a mathematical tweak—it’s a strategic warning. Quantum computing is progressing rapidly, and assumptions about how long existing encryption will remain safe may no longer hold. For crypto, finance, and digital infrastructure at large, proactive adaptation to quantum threats isn’t optional—it’s essential. Keith King https://lnkd.in/gHPvUttw

What Google’s latest quantum experiment means for digital security right now Google’s new Quantum Echoes experiment confirms progress in verifying quantum behaviour using the 65-qubit Willow processor. This development has sparked many discussions about whether Q-day is now closer. Q-day refers to the moment when a quantum computer can break widely used encryption standards like RSA-2048 and ECC. The foundation for this concern comes from Shor’s algorithm, which shows that a sufficiently capable quantum system could factor large numbers faster than classical methods, undermining the mathematics behind public key encryption. Today’s quantum devices operate with only 100s of noisy qubits, far below the millions of logical qubits needed to threaten encryption. The concept of “harvest now, decrypt later” is central to security planning. This means that encrypted data gathered today could be decrypted once quantum capability reaches the threshold. Organisations must move toward quantum safe cryptography such as CRYSTALS-Kyber for encryption and Dilithium for digital signatures. These algorithms are now standardised and recommended. For banks, cloud services, government agencies, and critical infrastructure providers, this clarity is an urgent reminder to review security roadmaps. Taking early steps in post-quantum readiness will strengthen long-term data protection and maintain trust in digital systems. If your security strategy does not yet include post-quantum planning, now is the time to start defining that roadmap.

We are entering a new mode with the rise of highly capable, specialized AI models. One reflection I keep coming back to is what this may mean for “quantum safe” readiness. Quantum computing remains the core reason why organizations need to move toward post-quantum cryptography, PQC. But at the same time, I believe we need to take seriously that AI may accelerate practical cryptographic risk much earlier than many have assumed. More capable AI models are likely to become significantly better at identifying weak implementations, brittle crypto libraries, outdated protocols, weaknesses in key management, and unsafe dependency chains. In other words, weaknesses in how encryption is actually used in practice may become visible, understandable, and potentially exploitable much faster than before. This may affect the timeline for PQC. Not because AI replaces the quantum threat, but because AI could make the need for cryptographic discipline, control, and migration readiness more urgent already now. The implication is that the timeline for when organizations need to be ready may need to move forward, even if the underlying reason for PQC remains quantum computing. In practice, this could mean increasing the pace in areas such as: • cryptographic inventory • crypto agility • dependency visibility • retirement of legacy protocols • key management discipline • prioritization of systems protecting long-lived sensitive data The point is not that AI becomes an alternative to the quantum threat. The point is that AI may become an accelerator of practical cryptographic risk. That, in turn, may require organizations to advance PQC readiness earlier and more decisively than previous timelines suggested. #CyberSecurity #AI #PQC #PostQuantumCryptography #CryptoAgility #InformationSecurity

As we close out 2024, it’s natural to think about what’s next. For me, one trend stands out above the rest: the urgency of preparing for a post-quantum world. Google's recent Willow chip announcement is yet another indicator that quantum computing is advancing rapidly, and the cryptographic algorithms we rely on to secure digital identities and critical systems are nearing their expiration date. This isn’t just a security concern—it’s a business imperative that impacts trust, continuity, and resilience. Just last month, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) released its roadmap for transitioning to post-quantum cryptography (PQC). The timeline is clear: by 2030, organizations must be quantum-ready. For business leaders, 2025 will be a pivotal year to take action. Forward-thinking leaders will elevate PQC from an IT initiative to a boardroom priority. Here’s how to lead the charge: 🔑 Understand the risk: Identify which systems, identities, and sensitive data are vulnerable to the quantum threat. 🔑 Educate your board: Build awareness with your leadership team about why quantum-safe cryptography matters—and why it matters NOW. 🔑 Take inventory: Pinpoint where your cryptographic assets live and assess what needs to evolve. 🔑 Develop your roadmap: Create a strategic plan to transition to PQC before the window of opportunity closes. 2025 isn’t the year to react—it’s the year to prepare. The shift to quantum-safe cryptography is inevitable. The question is: Will your organization be ahead of the curve or playing catch-up? I’d love to hear from other leaders—how are you bringing this critical conversation into your boardroom? Let’s share strategies and lessons to ensure we’re all ready for what’s next. #PostQuantum #PQC #CybersecurityLearders #DigitalTrust #Leadership