Ayesa warns of the impact quantum computing will have on digital security

It urges the collaborative construction of a solid, resilient and prepared cybersecurity strategy for the new era of Quantum Computing.

Ibermática Fundazioa and the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa hold a conference to respond to the challenge posed by this new technology.

Ayesa, through Ibermática Fundazioa, and the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa, have held the conference ‘From Quantum Computing to Security’, an event that has invited to reflect on the technological change that Quantum Computing brings with it and that, although it may seem distant, it is already beginning to transform the world. The talks focused on the field of cybersecurity, as many of the current cryptographic techniques could become ineffective in the face of the processing capacity of quantum computers.

As Joseba Inchaurraga, president of Ibermática Fundazioa, explained, quantum computing represents one of the greatest scientific and technological revolutions of our era: ‘It will completely change the way we solve problems, analyse data and guarantee the security of information, but it also poses significant challenges. For decades, we have built the protection of our data and communications around encryption systems that we now consider secure. However, quantum computers will have the ability to break down many of these barriers in the not too distant future.

Therefore, in the coming years, businesses, public administrations, critical infrastructures and, in short, society as a whole, will have to adapt to a new security paradigm. ‘It is no longer just a matter of protecting ourselves from conventional attacks, but of preparing ourselves for an era in which current encryption tools could become obsolete,’ Inchaurraga stresses.

Today, banking transactions, emails, medical records or digital contracts are protected with encryption systems such as RSA or ECC that would take centuries to break with today’s technology, but that quantum computers of the future could crack in minutes or even seconds. This is not just a problem for the future. Malicious actors are already collecting encrypted data today, hoping that in a few years, when quantum computers are powerful enough, they will be able to decrypt it.

The answer: Quantum-Safe Security

But it’s not all threats. The good news is that the scientific and technological community is working to stay ahead of this challenge. New quantum security strategies, known as ‘Quantum-Safe’ or post-quantum cryptography, are already being developed that will allow companies and public bodies to protect themselves in this new era.

‘In this context, organisations cannot afford to wait. Preparation must start now. And this is where events like today’s play a key role: they allow us to better understand the problem, learn about the solutions that are already in place and reflect on how we can integrate this transition into our security strategy. An event to prepare for the future,’ explained Inchaurraga.

Throughout the event, these issues were explored in depth with the help of experts who offered different perspectives on the impact of quantum computing on our society. They discussed the new security standards, how companies can start adapting and which sectors will be most affected by this change. It is not only about understanding the technology, but also about how to apply it in a practical way in the business world, in public administration and in everyday life.

In addition to the new regional deputy of the Department of Economic Promotion and Strategic Projects, Unai Andueza, and the deputy minister for Universities and Research of the Basque Government, Adolfo Morais, Jorge López, from Ibermática Fundazioa, spoke about the Post-Quantum era in Security in Industrial PQC environments, and Alejandra Ruiz López, from Tecnalia, to address the Post-Quantum era in communications and the new Quantum Internet (QKD).