By Warwick Brown,
Chief Information Security Officer for a global energy business

As François Malherbe explains in his article on quantum computing’s revolutionary potential, this technology promises incredible breakthroughs in medicine and climate science.

But there’s a flip side that affects every Australian: quantum computers could make our current digital security worthless.

The threat to your digital life

Think of current encryption like a massive combination lock with trillions of possible combinations. Today’s computers would need thousands of years to crack it. A quantum computer could do it in hours.

This isn’t theoretical. Recent surveys show 61% of Australian businesses understand the quantum threat, yet only 8.5% have started preparing quantum-safe defenses. Meanwhile, 43% believe their current data could already be vulnerable.

Criminals are already planning

Cybercriminals don’t need to wait. They’re using ‘harvest now, decrypt later’ tactics – stealing encrypted data today to crack open when quantum computers become available. It’s like collecting locked safes now, knowing the perfect safe-cracker arrives in a few years.

Everything we do online relies on encryption that quantum computers could break: internet banking, online shopping, medical records, emails, even government services like digital licenses.

When will this happen?

Experts disagree on timing – some say 3-5 years, others suggest a decade. But recent research keeps shortening the timeline. Studies by Google and Swedish researchers suggest quantum computers might need fewer resources to break encryption than previously estimated.

Major companies aren’t waiting. Apple has already introduced ‘post-quantum’ encryption for messaging, designed to resist future quantum attacks.

What you can do

The cybersecurity industry is developing quantum-resistant protection, but implementation takes time. For now, stay informed and choose services from companies taking quantum threats seriously.

As Malherbe notes, the ‘qubit revolution’ will reshape our world. Understanding both its promise and its perils means being ready for the future it’s creating – including the new digital security challenges it brings.