In today's rapid digital era, cybersecurity remains a high priority for Australian businesses. With increasing data breaches, ransomware, and cyberattacks, companies are making significant investments in securing their online properties.
But another technology revolution — quantum computing — is on the horizon to topple conventional security models. To remain ahead, Australian businesses need to familiarize themselves with post-quantum cryptography and begin preparing for the day when quantum computers could potentially break existing encryption algorithms.
What is Quantum Computing?
Quantum computing uses the principles of quantum mechanics to process information far more efficiently than traditional computers. Quantum bits (qubits) are unlike normal bits, which are 0 or 1, in that they are many states simultaneously. Quantum computers are thus capable of solving complex problems exponentially faster.
While huge quantum computers capable of breaking today's encryption don't yet exist, researchers are moving fast to bring the technology up to speed. Experts predict that within the next decade, quantum machines that will be powerful enough to break widely used encryption methods like RSA and ECC (Elliptic Curve Cryptography) will become a reality.
Why Should Australian Businesses Care?
Encryption currently relying on mathematical problems, which classical computers cannot solve easily, to protect most online messages, financial transactions, and sensitive data now would be compromised by the quantum computers being able to solve those efficiently, rendering traditional cryptographic methods ineffective.
This means for Australian companies:
- Data Vulnerability: Sensitive corporate, customer, and intellectual property data can be disclosed if intercepted and stored today for potential future decryption by quantum computers.
- Regulatory Compliance Risks: Australian data privacy norms and laws may soon require stronger encryption to protect business and individual information.
- Damage to Reputation: A breach enabled by quantum attacks would cause irreparable damage to brand trust and customer loyalty.
What is Post-Quantum Encryption?
Post-quantum cryptography (or quantum-resistant or quantum-safe cryptography) are cryptographic algorithms that are likely to be unbreakable by quantum computer attacks. These are built using mathematical problems which are assumed to be challenging for the quantum machine to reverse-engineer.
Several types of post-quantum algorithms are under active investigation, such as:
- Lattice-based cryptography: Uses complex lattice structures, which are believed to be quantum-attack resistant at the current time.
- Hash-based signatures: Use cryptographic hash functions to construct secure digital signatures.
- Code-based cryptography: Based on error-correcting codes that are difficult to break without the key.
- Multivariate polynomial cryptography: Based on solving sets of multivariate polynomial equations.
The United States National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is contributing to an international effort to standardize post-quantum cryptographic algorithms, with recommendations due soon.
Where Are Australian Businesses Now?
Many Australian businesses have yet to begin assessing the risks quantum computing poses or studying quantum-resistant encryption methods. Delay is not surprising, given that practical quantum threats are still several years away. But the window to transition mission-critical systems to post-quantum encryption is significant. It is challenging to retrofit encryption methods, costly, and time-consuming — especially for big organisations with old infrastructure.
In addition, Australian sectors including finance, health, government, and defense industries handling highly sensitive data must be closest to post-quantum readiness for maintaining national security and compliance needs.
What Should Australian Businesses Do Now?
Conduct a Quantum Risk Assessment
Audit your current crypto holdings, data sensitivity, and infrastructure exposure. Identify data for long-term protection (e.g., intellectual property, health data) and review the risk of "harvest now, decrypt later" attacks where the adversary store encrypted data today to decrypt in the quantum future.
Stay Current with Post-Quantum Standards
Monitor innovations from international organizations like NIST and the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC). By keeping pace with the evolving scenario of post-quantum cryptography, you can plan timely upgrades.
Develop a Migration Plan
Begin developing a migration plan to quantum-resistant cryptographic protocols. This should include:
Testing post-quantum algorithms in pilot environments
Evaluating hybrid crypto solutions that implement classical and post-quantum algorithms for added security through transition
Cooperating with technology providers like Allion Technologies and cybersecurity experts to check compatibility and compliance
Invest in Training and Awareness
Train your IT and cybersecurity professionals on quantum computing and post-quantum encryption. Awareness initiatives ensure teams are aware of risks and ready to introduce changes.
Partner with Experts
Collaborate with cybersecurity companies that have expertise in quantum-safe cryptography and risk management. Having experienced partners can speed up your preparation and prevent expensive errors.
How Allion Technologies Can Help
At Allion Technologies, we realize the quantum computing challenge and are committed to assisting Australian companies through this paradigm shift. Our expert cybersecurity consultants provide:
- Comprehensive quantum risk assessments tailored to your business context
- Strategic advisory services to align your IT security strategy with post-quantum advancements
- Implementation support for post-quantum and hybrid encryption technologies
- Periodic training programs to prepare your teams with cutting-edge expertise
- Strategic alliance with global technology suppliers to make available the latest quantum-resistant technologies
We want to future-proof your business, protect your information and gain confidence in a more complex digital world.
Conclusion
While the quantum computers capable of cracking existing encryption are not yet upon us, they are inevitable. Australian businesses cannot wait until the last minute to act. By educating themselves on how quantum computing impacts them and taking an active role in adopting post-quantum encryption methods, companies can safeguard their precious data, remain in regulatory compliance, and remain competitive.
Start today's conversation with Allion Technologies — your partner in navigating the post-quantum security period and preparing your business for the next level of cybersecurity.