The new math: Solving cryptography in an age of quantum
As core technology is growing and evolving, due to more powerful hardware allowing for more computation and AI boosting the productivity of technology workers, IT organizations should investigate another factor hiding just beneath the horizon of their growth path. Deloitte’s Tech Trends reports have highlighted in the past the role of security, as the one providing stability. The trust in what is being provided by the computer (“zero trust”) — the trust that we are talking with people, not agents (“defending the reality”) — is essential for other technologies, to ensure that augmented reality-generated artifacts are the ones we are expecting to see.
Today’s information workers are deeply reliant on data, which must not only be readily available for computation but also safeguarded. Data integrity is vital for effective data governance and for ensuring that AI models are trained on accurate information. Likewise, the confidentiality of data-whether in transit (such as high-speed trading, diagnostic equipment, or IoT field data) or at rest (like backups, financial models, or transaction records)-is crucial to the stability of our digital economy.
Cryptography, the force behind integrity and confidentiality of the information, based on mathematical algorithms, is used everywhere. Even our browsers use certain standards to communicate. The worry is that those standards, being widely implemented, are not easy to change. Few organizations, due to their technology stack being built over the years, are still suggesting using lower standards, that either do not require much computing power on the end devices or are incompatible with their aging technology stack.
On the other hand, quantum computing is growing. Companies like IBM, Fujitsu, Microsoft but also less well-known companies like Atom are building quantum processors which compute power will overshadow today’s best GPU-driven computers with over 1000 qubits per processor already in operation. Moreover, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) recently revealed new ways of coupling photons and atoms which would shorten the time between computation and readout by a level of magnitude, eliminating one of the bottlenecks of quantum technology growth.
Why does this matter? Cryptographically relevant quantum computers (CRQCs) are expected to break current encryption methods as soon as the 2030s. Some reports even suggest that Chinese quantum machines have already compromised basic algorithms, potentially undermining even the strongest encryption standards like AES.
Fortunately, solutions are emerging. Post-quantum cryptography (PQC) algorithms, recommended by NIST, are being developed to secure key encapsulation and digital signatures, with more innovations underway. However, while quantum computers capable of breaking today’s encryption may arrive within 5–10 years, transitioning to quantum-resistant systems could take just as long. This creates a risky window, especially as attackers may already be harvesting encrypted data to decrypt later (“harvest now, decrypt later” attacks). Unlike the Y2K crisis, where the risk was time-bound and predictable, the timeline for CRQCs remains uncertain, causing many organizations to deprioritize preparations despite the potentially massive impact.
To address this threat, organizations should:
Inventory all cryptographic algorithms used across internal systems and third-party communications.
Assess the challenges of implementing new algorithms, including the computational demands on both endpoints.
Develop a comprehensive hardware and software upgrade plan to ensure timely mitigation
While quantum computers promise immense benefits-such as accelerating drug discovery by simulating complex molecules-they also introduce unprecedented security challenges. Proactively preparing for these threats is essential for organizations that rely on digital data to thrive.
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Tech Trends 2025 | Deloitte Romania
