The European Union (EU) is being urged to prepare for quantum cyberattacks and adopt a coordinated action plan to ensure a harmonized transition to post-quantum encryption. This call to action comes from Andrea G. Rodríguez, lead digital policy analyst at the European Policy Centre, who warns that advances in quantum computing could render current encryption systems obsolete, thereby creating new cybersecurity challenges. This potential threat is often referred to as “Q-Day” – the point at which quantum computers will break existing cryptographic algorithms. Experts predict this could happen within the next five to ten years, potentially leaving all digital information vulnerable under current encryption protocols.
Rodríguez argues that quantum computing will disrupt online security by compromising cryptography or facilitating cyberattacks on digital identities. Cyberattacks on encryption using quantum computers could allow adversaries to decode encrypted information, interfere with communications, and access networks and information systems without permission. This could lead to the theft and sharing of previously confidential information.
Despite the potential impact of quantum computing on Europe’s cybersecurity and data protection, Rodríguez notes that this issue has largely been overlooked in policy discussions. Meanwhile, the US is leading the transition to post-quantum cybersecurity. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has initiated a standardization process of post-quantum cryptography algorithms, and the Quantum Cybersecurity Preparedness Act, established in 2022, sets up a roadmap to migrate government information to post-quantum cryptography. Rodríguez calls for Europe to develop a quantum cybersecurity agenda, sharing information and best practices, and reaching a common approach to the quantum transition across member states.
Source: Csoonline
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