Quantum Computing and the Race for Post-Quantum Security

Quantum computing is a rapidly developing field that uses the fascinating, often counterintuitive principles of quantum mechanics to process information. Unlike the computers we use every day, which rely on bits that represent either a 0 or a 1, quantum computers use so called qubits that can represent multiple states at once. This lets them handle a huge amount of information simultaneously, potentially solving problems that would take traditional computers millions of years to crack.

Why Quantum Computing Matters

Quantum computing isn’t just a technological curiosity. It has the potential to reshape industries and improve our daily lives. Some of its most promising applications include:

• Healthcare and Medicine: Simulating complex molecules at the quantum level could speed up drug discovery and lead to more effective treatments, reducing the time and cost of bringing new medicines to patients.
• Materials Science: Quantum simulations could help design advanced materials—such as stronger building components, more efficient solar panels, or better batteries—leading to innovations that benefit entire economies.
• Finance: By analysing large, complex datasets at lightning speed, quantum computers could identify patterns and optimise investment strategies, leading to smarter risk management and more robust financial products.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI): Quantum enhancements could push AI to new heights, improving pattern recognition, language processing, and decision-making across sectors.

In Switzerland, academic institutions and companies are already exploring the potential of quantum technologies. Universities like ETH Zurich and EPFL in Lausanne are at the forefront of quantum research, and Swiss startups are working on quantum-safe communication solutions. This means that, as quantum computers mature, Switzerland is well-placed to both contribute to and benefit from these innovations.

The Cybersecurity “Record-Now, Decrypt-Later” Threat

With great power, however, comes great responsibility. Quantum computing not only promises breakthroughs but also poses cybersecurity risks. Current encryption methods that secure your online banking, health records, and government communications, rely on mathematical problems that are difficult for classical computers to solve. But future quantum computers could crack these codes much more easily and quickly, potentially exposing sensitive data.

Even though there is not yet a quantum computer powerful enough to break today’s encryptions, the looming threat is clear. Attackers could intercept and store encrypted data today and simply wait. Once a sufficiently advanced quantum computer emerges, that previously secure data could become readable. Sensitive information like long-term government secrets, critical infrastructure designs, or personal financial records, could be at risk in the future, even if they are safe now. This challenge has caught the attention of governments and organisations worldwide as protecting such data against future quantum attacks becomes increasingly a high-stakes priority.

Post-quantum cryptography (PQC)

The solution to looming quantum threats lies in post-quantum cryptography (PQC). PQC algorithms are designed to withstand both classical and quantum attacks. They rely on entirely different mathematical foundations than current encryption methods, making them much harder for quantum computers to solve.
The U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is playing a central role in developing these PQC standards, running an international competition since 2016 to identify and evaluate potential algorithms. This international perspective is key: The U.S., Europe and other global players including Switzerland are all committed to ensuring that PQC standards work seamlessly across borders.

Preparing for the Transition

Shifting from today’s encryption to quantum-safe methods is a massive undertaking that will not happen overnight and demands cooperation among government, industry, and academia:

• Government agencies need to set standards, fund research, and guide the transition.
• Industries must develop and deploy new cryptographic systems that protect everything from online banking to cloud services.
• Universities and research institutions (including Switzerland’s renowned centers for science and technology) are crucial for inventing new algorithms, testing their security, and training the next generation of cybersecurity experts.

Quantum computing holds transformative promise in fields like medicine, finance and AI. Yet, cybersecurity implications must be faced head-on. The good news is, that momentum is building: PQC standards are on their way, and the transition has already begun. By embracing PQC and contributing to international efforts, Swiss researchers, government agencies, and companies are helping shape a future where the power of quantum computing is matched by equally powerful safeguards. With these steps, Switzerland is well-positioned to be a leader in the quantum era.