Encryption and cryptography in danger
Quantum Computing (QC), both promises extraordinary opportunities to accelerate change and open new frontiers, whilst simultaneously posing significant threats to privacy and data protection through encryption. Quantum Computing makes use of the quantum states of subatomic particles to solve problems that are too complicated for traditional, binary, computers.
One of the main threats to cybersecurity is the speed at which QC can decrypt codes and data. Civil society sectors collect, manage and process large volumes of data electronically, including highly sensitive and personal information, often related to vulnerable individuals. QC poses a danger to this encrypted, and sensitve data. Post-quantum or quantum resistant cryptography will therefore play a crucial role in solving data privacy and security problems by providing stronger encryption algorithms that are resistant to QC.
The Institute supports a human-centric approach to ensure that vulnerable communities are aware of the risks of QC to encryption, and provided with access to quantum-safe cryptography as QC is being developed. The CyberPeace Institute conducts research and writes blogs, exploring the implications of QC on encryption, data protection, and cyberpeace. We are also in active collaboration with the Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator (GESDA) and their Open Quantum Institute (OQI) to ensure a human-centric approach to cybersecurity in the age of quantum computing.
