Quantum Computing: As a Cybersecurity threat

Challenging. This is perhaps the best way to put the issue of cybersecurity at a time of growing technological evolution, where Artificial Intelligence, 6G and the Internet of Things are beginning to dominate the reality of our times. Between the geopolitical situation and increasingly sophisticated organised crime networks, companies nowadays are faced with constant and increasingly complex cyber-attacks.

Although large companies already have the human and financial capital to handle cyber threats, the various agents involved in certain sectors are obliged to report incidents to the National Cybersecurity Centre and implement a set of tight security measures. For small and medium-sized businesses, this is an absolutely colossal challenge that jeopardises their capacity for action and development, compounded by their inferior resources. We have thus seen a series of attacks perpetrated against all kinds of actors in various sectors, often involving cyber-attacks, computer scams or other criminal devices that jeopardise their free economic initiative. According to the most recent report from the Cybercrime Office of the Public Prosecutor's Office, between January and June 2023, 1,363 complaints were received and 292 were referred for investigation in connection with practices related to this type of crime.

Considering the above, and if the threat is imminent, companies should anticipate technological developments, particularly advances in quantum computing and its absolutely disruptive potential.  While classical computers use binary "bits" to perform calculations, quantum computers use quantum "bits" ("qubits"). Essentially, while bits can only have two values (0 or 1), qubits can exist simultaneously as 0s, 1s, or both 0 and 1. Qubits offer different possibilities by exploiting quantum effects such as superposition and entanglement. By using qubits to execute certain algorithms, quantum computers significantly reduce the number of calculations needed compared to classical computers to solve specific problems, opening up a host of new possibilities in algorithm development and very fast decryption, calling into question the effectiveness of the current cybersecurity system.

Today, the US and Chinese companies are at the forefront of developing a quantum computer that is absolutely stable and functional, however it has not yet been fully realised. In any case, once quantum computing becomes a sufficiently widespread reality, it will certainly have profound implications for cryptography and, thus, also for cybersecurity. Traditional encryption methods are based on the difficulty of processing large numbers, a task that quantum computers could perform exponentially faster. This capability threatens current encryption standards (a commonly used cybersecurity measure), requiring the development of quantum-resistant cryptography. On the other hand, quantum computing introduces advanced cryptographic techniques, such as quantum key distribution, which offers theoretically unbreakable encryption. This distribution uses quantum properties such as "entanglement" and "superposition" to detect any interception attempt, thus guaranteeing absolute security in data transmission. Quantum computers also have the potential to improve cybersecurity by analysing vast data sets to identify patterns and potential threats far more efficiently than classical computers. This ability to quickly process and analyse large amounts of data can significantly improve real-time threat detection and response, making cybersecurity systems more robust and reactive.

In this context, and given the accelerated technological developments, companies must begin a process of timely preparation that allows them to anticipate these new trends in protection and vulnerability from a cyber point of view. In this regard, we would like to point out that there are already numerous pieces of legislation on Information Security, Data Protection and Intellectual Property that could pose challenges for companies if they do not anticipate the cybersecurity challenges posed by quantum computing. We are witnessing a veritable quantum revolution underway, and it is becoming increasingly urgent for companies to be prepared for the challenges that lie ahead, in a reality that is all the more complex and interconnected.