As quantum technology advances rapidly, governments and tech companies are preparing for a future where current cybersecurity systems are no longer robust enough. This could require significant investment to upgrade, or even replace, much of the existing digital infrastructure.
Concerns are rising about "collect data first, decode later" attacks.
Encryption technology is used throughout the internet, from online banking services and e-commerce to websites, cloud platforms, and digital communication. The purpose of encryption is to protect personal information and ensure that only authorized individuals can access it, typically through usernames, passwords, and authentication codes.
Encryption also helps ensure data integrity, meaning that information transmitted over the internet is not altered or tampered with. This is achieved by transforming data into an unreadable code that can only be deciphered using a matching digital key.
Many people believe that once data is encrypted, it is permanently secure. But what if, in the future, quantum computers are able to decrypt this data?
Hackers can collect sensitive, encrypted data today and store it, waiting for quantum computers to become powerful enough to decrypt it in the future. This is a form of "collect first, decrypt later" attack. If stolen files, emails, financial records, or cloud data can be accessed later, the consequences could be extremely serious.
Future quantum computers could threaten current encryption methods thanks to their superior computing power. (Illustration: IBM Q System One quantum computer - Image: AA+W - stock.adobe.com) A recent Google report suggests that quantum computers may be able to "crack" some security methods sooner than previously predicted. The report highlights the risks to technologies such as cryptocurrencies (including Bitcoin and Ethereum), which rely heavily on encryption methods to protect wallets and transactions.
Imagine the impact if cryptocurrency wallets were deemed insecure. Confidence in digital assets could collapse, triggering panic in global markets. While this scenario may not materialize immediately, studies also highlight broader concerns, suggesting that future risks associated with quantum computing could affect banking systems, cloud platforms, digital identities, and many other aspects of the modern internet.
Preparing for the quantum age
Governments and major technology corporations are beginning to prepare for the transition to “post-quantum security” (or “quantum-resistant security”). In the US, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has published new encryption standards to combat future attacks from quantum computers. Companies like Google, Microsoft, and Apple are also testing quantum-resistant security solutions in browser software, cloud services, and communication systems.
The transition to post-quantum cybersecurity could be one of the biggest technological upgrades to the internet since the Y2K event. Globally, governments, banks, hospitals, cloud service providers, and telecommunications companies will likely have to update or replace much of the security systems currently used to protect their networks and data.
This is not simply a software update. Many organizations may need to redesign systems, replace hardware, adjust applications, and test the operational capabilities of quantum-resistant technologies on a large digital infrastructure scale.
A 2024 White House report estimated that U.S. federal agencies could spend approximately $7.1 billion on the transition to post-quantum encryption between 2025 and 2035. This figure suggests just how large and costly this process could be if implemented globally.
For many organizations, the challenge lies not only in cost but also in time. Large-scale infrastructure upgrade projects often take years to complete, especially when they involve national security, banking systems, and essential services.
The transition to post-quantum cybersecurity could be one of the biggest technological upgrades ever. (Image: Magnific) Impact on Vietnam
In Vietnam, where e-government services, online banking, e-commerce, and national data platforms are rapidly developing, this issue is becoming increasingly important. If future quantum computers can weaken current encryption methods, Vietnam may face significant costs to upgrade essential infrastructure under tight deadlines. Therefore, early preparation is crucial to mitigate risks and costs in the long run.
In fact, Vietnam has already made initial progress. Late last year, cybersecurity company VinCSS launched the ZQTA - Zero Trust Quantum-Ready Network Access Platform, integrating a zero-trust security model, passwordless authentication, and quantum-resistant encryption technologies to protect data from "collect first, decrypt later" attacks.
Vietnam has also launched VNQuantum – a national network bringing together quantum technology experts to promote research and innovation in this field. This demonstrates the growing awareness that quantum computing is not just a scientific issue, but is also closely linked to the economy and national security of the future.
Although these efforts are still in their early stages, they show that Vietnam has begun to recognize that cybersecurity in the quantum age could become one of the next major technological transformations, impacting the government, businesses, and internet users alike.
The quantum age may still be in its infancy, but the race to secure cybersecurity for the future needs to begin today.
Article by: Dr. James Kang, Senior Lecturer in Computer Science , RMIT University Vietnam
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Top image: AA+W - stock.adobe.com
Source: https://www.rmit.edu.vn/vi/tin-tuc/tat-ca-tin-tuc/2026/may/dot-nang-cap-an-ninh-mang-lon-nhat-lich-su-dang-den-gan
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