By: Prateek Tripathi
The following excerpt is from Chapter 7 — Quantum Codebreaking Moves One Step Forward of ORF Global Quarterly: Energy and Tech: Powering the Future.
In terms of potential, quantum computing (QC) may be the holy grail of modern technology. The ability to control individual particles at the microscopic scale unlocks the enormous possibilities of exploiting purely quantum mechanical phenomena, fundamentally altering the collection, processing, and communication of information. At the same time, QC poses a significant cybersecurity threat in the form of Cryptographically Relevant Quantum Computers (CRQCs), which could break most current asymmetric encryption protocols and threaten the foundations of the global digital landscape.
Threats aside, the growth of QC technology has been impeded by quantum error correction (QEC) since its inception. Though superconducting qubits emerged as the most viable candidate for QC, overall progress remained relatively stagnant in the ensuing decades, largely due to a lack of scalability. In recent years, enhanced global interest and investment have opened new avenues for QEC while advancing existing frameworks. Though the field of QC is not mature enough to provide remarkable practical applications at the moment, recent developments serve to exemplify the asymmetric nature of quantum technology (QT) development and how multiple incremental advancements can potentially lead to overall progress.
As a result, it is becoming more likely that the next breakthrough will occur in the short run, especially given the rapid advancements in QEC and QC modalities such as neutral atoms and trapped ions. While this is a positive trend towards achieving practical and commercially relevant applications across a broad range of fields, progress towards fault tolerance also brings QC one step closer towards CRQCs. As such, the progressive trends in QEC are being accompanied by a universal push towards quantum-resistant cryptographic algorithms through Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) migration.
Given its relatively limited investment capabilities and the dilemma posed by escalating export controls, the Global South must capitalise on these trends while identifying nationally relevant and optimal areas for capacity building. This would enable it to gradually carve out individual niches within the broader field of QC, while enabling simultaneous preparation for the threat posed by CRQCs through PQC migration strategies and implementation. Moreover, pursuing multilateral collaborations and initiatives would also be a prudent step towards addressing gaps in investment, infrastructure, and standardisation.
Quantum computing is advancing through steady gains in hardware and error correction. As these breakthroughs bring practical applications closer, preparing digital infrastructure for the quantum era is becoming an increasingly urgent policy priority. Learn more in ORF Global Quarterly: Energy and Tech: Powering the Future.