The European Union is ramping up efforts to lead in quantum computing, but cybersecurity experts warn that the technology could upend digital security as we know it.
In a new strategy published Wednesday, the European Commission admitted that Europe trails the United States and China in commercialising quantum technology, despite its strong academic presence. The bloc is now calling for more private investment to close the gap.
Quantum computing offers revolutionary potential, from drug discovery to defence applications. But its power poses a serious risk: it could break today’s internet encryption.
Current digital security relies on public key cryptography — complex maths that conventional computers can’t solve. But quantum machines could one day easily break these codes, making sensitive data readable to malicious actors.
Experts fear a ‘store now, decrypt later’ scenario, where adversaries collect encrypted data now and crack it once quantum capabilities mature. That could expose government secrets and critical infrastructure.
The EU is also concerned about losing control over homegrown tech companies to foreign investors. While Europe leads in quantum research output, it only receives 5% of global private funding. In contrast, the US and China attract over 90% combined.
European cybersecurity agencies published a roadmap for transitioning to post-quantum cryptography to address the threat. The aim is to secure critical infrastructure by 2030 — a deadline shared by the US, UK, and Australia.
IBM recently said it could release a workable quantum computer by 2029, highlighting the urgency of the challenge. Experts stress that replacing encryption is only part of the task. The broader transition will affect billions of systems, requiring enormous technical and logistical effort.
Governments are already reacting. Some EU states have imposed export restrictions on quantum tech, fearing their communications could be exposed. Despite the risks, European officials say the worst-case scenarios are not inevitable, but doing nothing is not an option.
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