The future of technology is arriving faster than most people realise — and it could put our entire digital security system at risk. India’s cyber security agency, the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), along with cybersecurity firm SISA, has warned about a serious new threat: quantum computers.
These advanced machines are far more powerful than today’s computers. While they promise huge benefits in fields like science and medicine, they also pose a danger to online security. Unlike regular computers that work with bits — either 0 or 1 — quantum computers use something called ‘qubits’. A qubit can be both 0 and 1 at the same time which allows quantum computers to perform extremely complex calculations much faster.
This new capability could break the encryption methods currently used to protect everything from bank accounts to private messages — and that is a cause for concern.
"The emergence of quantum computing represents a paradigm shift in cybersecurity, posing an unprecedented challenge to traditional cryptographic systems that safeguard sensitive data and digital transactions. With quantum computers expected to break widely used encryption protocols, organisations must act now to future-proof their security infrastructure. Failing to prepare for this shift could leave critical assets vulnerable to quantum-enabled cyberattacks," CERT-In warns in a white paper titled
'Transitioning to Quantum Cyber Readiness'.
Quantum computers offer incredible speed and power, with the ability to solve problems in areas like artificial intelligence, logistics, and data analysis much faster than current computers. While this could bring major improvements in science and industry, it also raises serious concerns. These powerful machines could break the encryption methods that protect online banking, private messages, shopping websites, digital IDs and even cryptocurrencies.
The white paper from India’s cybersecurity agency warns that much of today’s digital infrastructure, including secure websites (TLS), virtual private networks (VPNs), software updates, smart devices and messaging apps, relies on encryption methods that may not hold up in the quantum age.
What is even more worrying is that we don’t fully know how much of our current systems depend on encryption that is vulnerable to quantum attacks. Older IT systems, outdated security certificates, and unmonitored encryption tools make it hard to track and fix these weak points, leaving us exposed to future risks.
What Is the Threat?
Almost everything we do online, from banking and shopping to messaging, storing medical records, using Aadhaar and handling cryptocurrencies, is protected by complex digital locks. These locks are based on mathematical puzzles that would take today’s computers thousands of years to crack.
But quantum computers are not like regular machines. They can break these digital locks in just minutes. This means that the information we currently consider safe could be exposed and misused in the future.
One of the most concerning threats is known as the 'harvest now, decrypt later' strategy. In this tactic, cybercriminals or even government-backed (nation-state) hackers are already collecting and storing encrypted data. They can’t access it now, but once quantum technology becomes advanced enough, they could unlock that data — revealing sensitive personal or financial information from the past.
This risk also ties in with the rapid push for artificial intelligence (AI). Many believe that AI is being used to gain deeper access to the vast amounts of personal data stored and shared by ordinary users — making future breaches even more damaging.
What Can Be Hacked?
If quantum computers reach their full potential, they could break into systems that are currently considered secure. Here’s what could be at risk:
• Your bank accounts — quantum computers could crack the encryption used to protect your money.
• Private messages — apps like WhatsApp and Signal could be hacked, exposing your chats.
• Your Aadhaar and digital identity — personal identity data could be stolen or misused.
• Health records — sensitive medical information might no longer be private.
• Digital signatures and certificates — used to verify documents and secure websites, these could be faked or bypassed.
• Cryptocurrencies and blockchain — the technology behind Bitcoin and similar platforms could be disrupted or broken.
Even the most secure websites, apps, and online payment systems could become unsafe in a quantum-powered future.
Why Hasn’t This Been Fixed Yet?
CERT-In says one major challenge is that we don’t even know where all the outdated digital locks are being used. Many government offices, companies, and software developers aren’t fully aware if their systems are vulnerable or not.
Even when they do know, fixing the issue is not simple. A new type of encryption, called quantum-safe encryption, has been developed, but switching to it is a big task.
It means:
• Updating old software and IT systems
• Changing how digital certificates and ID systems work
• Making sure banks, websites, mobile apps, and devices all speak the same new security language
This kind of upgrade will take years and needs global teamwork between industries, tech companies, and governments.
What Can You do to Stay Safe?
While fixing the bigger problem of quantum threats is mainly the job of governments and tech companies, there are still steps that everyday users can take to stay protected in this changing digital world:
• Keep your devices and apps updated
Software updates often include security improvements that help protect against new threats.
• Use trusted encrypted services
Choose messaging and email platforms that invest in strong, up-to-date encryption — such as Signal or ProtonMail.
• Don’t store sensitive personal data online forever
Assume that anything encrypted today might be broken in the future. Avoid keeping old, sensitive files in cloud storage unless absolutely necessary.
• Use password managers and enable multi-factor authentication (MFA)
Strong, unique passwords are essential, and MFA gives you an extra layer of protection if someone tries to hack your account.
• Ask for transparency from your service-providers
Speak to your bank, mobile operator, or cloud provider about how they plan to handle quantum security threats.
• Be careful with cryptocurrency platforms
Avoid using crypto services that have not been tested or reviewed for post-quantum security. Some older blockchains could be completely broken once quantum computers mature.
By staying alert and adopting these habits early, you can reduce your risk, even as the digital world gets ready for the quantum age.
What Should India Do?
According to the CERT-In white paper, India needs to take urgent steps to prepare for the coming quantum threat.
Here is what the country should focus on:
• Identify and fix weak spots
Government agencies, companies, and service providers must find systems that use outdated encryption and replace them with safer alternatives.
• Adopt quantum-safe technology
India should begin using encryption methods that are designed to resist attacks from quantum computers.
• Collaborate with global experts
It is important to stay in step with international standards and work with countries already investing in quantum cybersecurity.
• Train more skilled professionals
India must invest in education and training to build a strong workforce in cybersecurity and quantum technologies.
• Create a national strategy
A clear, well-planned national roadmap is needed to protect the country’s digital infrastructure before quantum computers become a real threat.
The Quantum Age Is No Longer in the Future — It Is Here
Quantum computers are no longer just a research experiment. They are becoming real, powerful machines that could soon break into digital systems we rely on every day. That is why it is urgent for governments, businesses and tech companies to upgrade their security before it is too late. The longer we delay, the higher the risk, not only to national security, but to your personal data and privacy.
In fact, the technology has already made huge strides:
• Google’s Willow chip, unveiled in December 2024, achieved a breakthrough in error correction with 105 qubits — a major leap toward reliable quantum computing.
• Microsoft’s Majorana-1 processor, launched in February 2025, is designed to scale up to a million qubits.
• IBM aims to deliver fault-tolerant quantum computing by 2029 with its new Starling system.
• Quantinuum has built 56-qubit trapped-ion quantum computers with record-setting accuracy.
• Nokia is pushing forward in quantum networking — the future of secure communications.
Meanwhile, the United Nations (UN) has declared 2025 the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, recognising the rapid global growth of this field.
Companies working in semiconductors, nanotech, photonics, hardware, software and quantum services are expanding fast, building what is becoming a global quantum ecosystem.
Quantum computing is not just a buzzword or distant dream. It is a paradigm shift — a major turning point that could change everything about how we secure our digital world.
If India wants to protect its people’s privacy, maintain economic security and ensure public trust in its digital systems, it must act now.
For everyday users, awareness is the first line of defence. For institutions and governments, the countdown to quantum resilience has already started and there is no time to waste.
So the question we should all be asking is: Are we ready for the quantum age?
Stay Alert, Stay Safe!
