Is Your Organization at Risk from Quantum Cyber Attacks?

Not Yet — But It’s Time to Prepare

What if your strongest encryption can be broken in seconds?

We rely on these algorithms to protect financial data, national security, and healthcare records. Does this sound like science fiction? It’s not.

While quantum cyberattacks aren't knocking on your company's door today, the countdown has already begun. And when the shift comes, it will be fast and irreversible. By 2030, encrypted data worth billions could be compromised by quantum machines unless we act now.

Quantum computing promises revolutionary advancements—from drug discovery and medical diagnostics to logistics optimization and climate modeling. But with this promise comes a looming threat: current encryption methods, including RSA and ECC(Elliptic curve cryptography), will be rendered obsolete by powerful quantum algorithms like Shor’s.

That’s where proactive preparation becomes critical.

At Infosprint Technologies, a digital transformation company based in Singapore, we’re engaging with leading quantum experts and cybersecurity partners to understand how the threat landscape is evolving—and more importantly, what organizations can do right now to prepare for a post-quantum world. 

Quantum Computing Explained

To understand quantum computing's cybersecurity implications, it’s essential to grasp what sets it apart from classical computing.

In traditional computers, information is represented by bits, which are either 0 or 1. However, quantum bits (qubits) are used in quantum computers. Think of a qubit like a spinning coin—it’s both heads and tails until measured. This allows quantum computers to explore multiple outcomes at once and perform parallel computations at unprecedented speed.

This makes quantum computing ideally suited to tackle computationally infeasible problems for classical computers, such as breaking modern cryptographic algorithms.

What does Quantum Computing mean for Modern Cybersecurity?

Today's digital security depends on public encryption keys such as RSA, ECC, and Diffie-Hellman. The strength of these algorithms is based on complex mathematical problems, like factoring large numbers or solving discrete logarithms.

Classical computers may take thousands of years to break RSA algorithms. However, using Shor's algorithm, a sufficiently powerful quantum computer could break this algorithm in just a few hours.

Here’s what's at risk:

• Secure web communication (HTTPS)
• Digital signatures
• Email encryption (PGP/GPG)
• VPNs and secure remote access
• Blockchain and cryptocurrency wallets

In other words, once a practical quantum computer becomes available, much of our digital infrastructure could be rendered insecure overnight.

“Store Now, Decrypt Later”: Are hackers already harvesting your data?

Are You Confident Your Data Is Secure Against Future Quantum Threats?

If your answer is yes, it may be time to look closer.

Cybercriminals are already planning for a quantum future and using a strategy called “store now, decrypt later.” This means they steal and archive encrypted data today, intending to break it later once quantum computing becomes powerful enough.

This is especially alarming for sensitive data with long-term value, including:

• Government or national security records

• Intellectual property and trade secrets

• Financial transaction histories

• Personal health information

Even if your current encryption is strong, its long-term resilience is at risk. That’s why forward-thinking organizations adopt quantum-resistant encryption models to prepare for what’s ahead.

Now is the time to assess, adapt, and future-proof your cybersecurity posture—before it’s too late.

The Global Quantum Arms Race: The Next Cybersecurity Frontier

Several countries, such as the United States, Canada, Germany, and China, recognize the looming quantum threat and are engaged in a technological arms race to develop quantum capabilities.

The implications of a geopolitical imbalance in quantum computing include:

• Espionage: Quantum-enabled surveillance and signal decryption.
• Cyberwarfare: Targeted attacks on critical infrastructure.
• Economic disruption: Undermining financial systems secured with classical encryption.

According to a 2022 report by a U.S. national security agency, the impact of cryptanalytically relevant quantum computers could devastate national security systems and critical infrastructure.

Post-Quantum Cryptography: A Quantum Safe Future

Post-quantum cryptography refers to cryptographic algorithms designed to be secure against classical and quantum attacks. The goal is to develop standards to replace encryption protocols before quantum computers become a real-world threat.

The U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has been in charge of standardizing PQC. In 2022, NIST announced four quantum-resistant algorithms:

• CRYSTALS-Kyber (key encapsulation)

• CRYSTALS-Dilithium (digital signatures)

• FALCON

• SPHINCS+

These algorithms are expected to form the backbone of next-generation cryptographic systems.

Challenges in Adopting PQC

While PQC provides a path forward, several challenges remain:

• Performance: Some algorithms require more memory or processing power.

• Integration: Updating legacy systems to support new cryptographic standards is complex and costly.

• Interoperability: Ensuring PQC solutions work seamlessly across diverse platforms.

• Uncertainty: Algorithms are still being tested and vetted.

Organizations must begin transitioning now, even if practical quantum computing is years away.

Emerging Cyber Threats in the Quantum Era

Beyond breaking encryption, quantum computing and cybersecurity introduce new avenues for cyberattacks and disruptions:

Quantum Malware

Future malware could leverage quantum computing to:

• Bypass quantum-encrypted defenses

• Use AI/ML models enhanced by quantum computing for sophisticated attacks.

• Crack hashes used in password protection or digital forensics

Supply Chain Attacks

As quantum devices become embedded in supply chains, especially for critical infrastructure, the risk of supply chain tampering and data exfiltration increases.

Blockchain Vulnerabilities

Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin rely on ECC for key generation. A quantum computer could derive a user’s private key from their public key, effectively stealing funds. Quantum resilience is now a priority for blockchain developers.

How to Prepare for a Quantum-Safe Future: Best Practices

It’s not too early to take action. As our world continuously shifts from one groundbreaking evolution to another, this is the perfect time for decision-makers to prepare for quantum supremacy. Here’s how businesses and security leaders can begin their preparations:

1. Data Inventory and Risk Assessment

Identify the most sensitive data and assess how long it needs to remain confidential. Classify assets based on their “shelf life” and likelihood of future quantum exposure.

2. Cryptographic Agility

Design cryptographically agile systems, meaning they can switch between cryptographic algorithms without complete system overhauls.

3. Begin Testing PQC Algorithms

Pilot post-quantum algorithms in non-critical environments. Participate in industry standards discussions and watch NIST updates.

4. Educate and Train Teams

Ensure cybersecurity and IT professionals understand quantum risks and mitigation techniques. Provide upskilling opportunities.

5. Update Vendor Requirements

Third-party vendors are required to disclose quantum readiness and plan for encryption updates.

6. Monitor Quantum Developments

Track advancements in quantum computing hardware, software, and global regulations. Early awareness leads to early preparedness.

The Quantum Cybersecurity Timeline: When to Act?

Experts estimate that cryptanalytically relevant quantum computers—powerful enough to break current cryptography—are 10–20 years away. However, the transition to quantum-safe cryptography could take just as long.

Think of it this way:

• You're already too late if you wait until quantum computers are here.

• “Harvest now, decrypt later,” attackers aren’t waiting.

Quantum readiness is about risk management, not panic. The sooner your organization adapts, the more secure its future will be.

A Quantum Leap Demands Quantum Resilience

Quantum computing is not inherently a cybersecurity threat—it’s a technological evolution. But, like all powerful tools, it can be weaponized.

Our digital world has seen many paradigm shifts, from the rise of cloud computing to AI-driven attacks. Quantum computing will be our field's next, perhaps most disruptive, transformation.

It’s time for security leaders, policymakers, and technology professionals to collaborate, anticipate threats, and adopt forward-looking security strategies. A quantum-safe future isn’t just a technical necessity—it’s a business imperative.

Is your data quantum-safe? Schedule a free 30-minute risk consultation with our cybersecurity architects.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When will quantum computers be able to break current encryption?

While current quantum computers aren't yet capable of breaking strong encryption like RSA or ECC, experts predict that cryptanalytically relevant quantum computers may emerge between 2030 and 2040. These machines, using Shor’s algorithm, could break encryption by efficiently factoring large integers—a task that would take classical computers millennia.

This looming threat has led to a growing concern around “harvest now, decrypt later” (HNDL) attacks, where adversaries are already intercepting and storing encrypted data with plans to decrypt it when quantum capabilities mature. Given this proactive threat model, organizations must prepare now to ensure long-term data confidentiality.

2. What types of data are most at risk from quantum attacks?

Data most at risk from quantum attacks includes any information with long-term sensitivity or value. This especially includes:

• Government and military communications

• Intellectual property and R&D documents

• Financial transaction histories

• Healthcare and personal identity data

Current encryption standards like RSA, ECC, and Diffie-Hellman secure this data—but all are vulnerable to future quantum attacks. Due to the “store now, decrypt later” threat model, even data that seems secure today may be exposed tomorrow. The risk is greatest for data with long confidentiality requirements, such as classified files, compliance records, or customer trust assets.

3. What is “store now, decrypt later” in cybersecurity?

Store now, decrypt later” (SNDL)—also known as “harvest now, decrypt later” (HNDL)—is a cybersecurity threat model in which attackers collect encrypted data today with the intent to decrypt it in the future using quantum computers.

This approach exploits the fact that data encrypted using classical algorithms (e.g., RSA, ECC) may appear secure today but will be vulnerable once cryptanalytically relevant quantum computers become viable.

For example, if a hacker steals your data, they could store it and wait until quantum computers are developed and commercialised to start the attack. 

This strategy underscores the urgency of adopting post-quantum encryption for data that must remain confidential beyond the next 5–15 years.

4. Why should companies act now if quantum threats are still years away?

While fully capable quantum computers may be a decade away, the “store now, decrypt later” strategy means sensitive data stolen today can be decrypted in the future.

Additionally, transitioning to quantum-safe encryption takes years—from inventorying data to upgrading infrastructure and training teams. Delaying action increases long-term risk and costs.

Proactive companies gain a competitive edge by becoming quantum-resilient early, protecting long-term assets and building customer trust in a post-quantum world.

5. Which industries are most vulnerable to quantum cyber threats?

Industries that rely heavily on long-term data confidentiality or critical infrastructure are most at risk from quantum attacks. These include:

• Finance & Banking – Transactions, payment systems, and identity verification

• Healthcare – Patient records, research data, and compliance

• Government & Defense – National security, diplomatic communications

• Technology & IP-driven firms – Patents, trade secrets, and software code

• Blockchain & Crypto – Wallets, smart contracts, and digital signatures

These sectors must act early to adopt quantum-resistant encryption and mitigate long-term exposure.