Key Takeaways
- Quantum security refers to technologies and strategies designed to protect systems from quantum-enabled threats, particularly to cryptography.
- Financial institutions and regulators are aligning on a shared roadmap to support a quantum-secure transition.
- Widely used encryption methods such as RSA and ECC could be vulnerable to future quantum computers if action is delayed.
- Post-quantum cryptography and quantum-safe technologies like quantum key distribution are core components of quantum security.
- Organisations need to start planning now to reduce “harvest now, decrypt later” risks.
Understanding What Is Quantum Security and Why It Matters Now
If you have been asking what is quantum security, you are not alone. The question has quickly moved from a specialist concern to a mainstream priority for cybersecurity leaders, regulators, and technology providers.
At its core, quantum security describes the set of technologies, governance frameworks, and cryptographic strategies designed to protect digital infrastructure from the future impact of quantum computing. Unlike traditional computers, quantum systems use quantum mechanics to process information, giving them the potential to break widely used encryption methods.
Why Quantum Computing Changes the Security Landscape
Quantum computers pose a challenge to classical cryptography because they could solve certain mathematical problems far more efficiently than today’s computers.
Encryption schemes such as RSA and elliptic curve cryptography underpin secure communications, payments, and identity systems across the financial sector. These systems rely on problems that are extremely difficult for classical machines to solve but may become feasible for sufficiently powerful quantum computers.
Quantum security addresses this risk by ensuring that cryptographic systems remain secure both before and after quantum computing becomes practical.
Principles for a Quantum-Secure Transition
The World Economic Forum, in collaboration with the Financial Conduct Authority, recently published Quantum Security for the Financial Sector: Informing Global Regulatory Approaches. The report outlines guiding principles to help regulators and industry build a coordinated roadmap towards quantum resilience.
Rather than prescribing specific technologies, the paper focuses on strategic alignment and long-term readiness.
Key themes include:
- Building on existing cybersecurity and risk management frameworks
- Establishing clear expectations for managing quantum-related risk
- Avoiding fragmented regulatory approaches across jurisdictions
- Improving transparency around preparedness and transition planning
- These principles provide a foundation for collaboration between regulators, financial institutions, and technology providers such as PQShield.
Ready to start your quantum-secure transition?
Speak to PQShield to explore how quantum-safe technologies, post-quantum cryptography, and strategic guidance can help you prepare today for tomorrow’s security challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do we do at PQShield in relation to quantum security?
At PQShield, we build practical, quantum-safe hardware and software solutions designed to protect systems against future quantum computing threats.
Our focus is on helping organisations modernise cryptographic security by integrating post-quantum cryptography into real-world infrastructure and preparing confidently for a quantum-secure future.
Why do we believe post-quantum cryptography is essential for quantum security?
We see post-quantum cryptography as a foundational step in protecting data against the impact of quantum computers. As existing encryption methods become vulnerable, organisations need cryptographic algorithms that can withstand quantum attacks.
We help our customers transition to these new standards early, reducing long-term risk and avoiding rushed remediation later.
What types of products do we offer to support quantum-secure systems?
We provide a range of post-quantum cryptography solutions across both software and hardware. This includes high-performance cryptographic libraries, security accelerators, and configurable root-of-trust solutions.
Our products are designed to integrate smoothly into existing systems, making quantum security achievable without disrupting operations.
How do we support organisations planning a quantum security strategy?
Quantum security is not just about technology. We work closely with organisations to help them understand where cryptography is used, identify areas of risk, and design quantum-resilient architectures.
Our approach supports long-term planning and aligns with emerging standards and regulatory expectations, particularly in highly regulated sectors.
Who do we typically work with on quantum-safe solutions?
We work with organisations across sectors that rely on long-term data security and trust. This includes financial services, telecommunications, enterprise technology providers, and embedded systems manufacturers.
Any organisation looking to future-proof its cryptography against quantum threats can benefit from our quantum-safe solutions.