Decrypting the future: Why post-quantum security must start today

Australia Faces a Quantum Turning Point in Cybersecurity

Australia is standing at the brink of a technological shift that could redefine cyber resilience for decades to come. With quantum computing rapidly advancing, the foundations of today’s data security are becoming increasingly fragile. While quantum technology promises powerful breakthroughs in medical research, logistics, and artificial intelligence, it also carries a significant threat: the ability to break the cryptographic systems that protect government, business, and personal data.

Quantum computers harness the principles of quantum mechanics by using qubits—units that can exist in multiple states simultaneously—unlike traditional computers that operate only on binary 0s and 1s. This exponential computational power allows quantum machines to solve complex mathematical challenges that classical systems cannot feasibly handle.

One of the most alarming implications is the ability to break widely used public key encryption standards such as RSA and ECC (elliptic-curve cryptography). Once large-scale quantum computers become available, these encryption mechanisms—currently securing nearly all digital communications—could be compromised in hours, not decades.

Why Post-Quantum Cryptography Is Now a National Priority

The Australian Government has already identified post-quantum cryptography (PQC) as a key priority in its 2023–2030 Cyber Security Strategy. A major mindset shift it promotes is treating data longevity as a core component of classification. Instead of only asking “How sensitive is this data?”, organisations must now also ask, “How long does this data need to remain secure?”

Data requiring confidentiality for 10–30 years—such as medical records, intellectual property, defence information, and critical infrastructure designs—is now among the most at-risk. The potential exposure of these assets threatens financial stability, operational continuity, and national security.

Why PQC Matters

Traditional cryptography relies on the difficulty of mathematical problems that classical computers cannot solve efficiently. RSA depends on the difficulty of factoring large numbers; ECC relies on the discrete logarithm problem. Quantum computers, through Shor’s algorithm, can solve both with unprecedented speed, undermining the protections we rely on today.

Importantly, post-quantum cryptography is not the same as quantum cryptography. PQC refers to quantum-resistant algorithms that run on normal computers but are designed to withstand quantum attacks.

A common misconception is that quantum threats are “too far away to matter.” This mindset exposes organisations to “harvest now, decrypt later” attacks, where adversaries collect encrypted data today with the intention of decrypting it once quantum capability arrives.

Implementing PQC early delivers several advantages:

• Long-term protection of sensitive data

• Readiness for emerging compliance requirements

• Reduced future migration costs

• Enhanced customer, partner, and investor trust

• Greater business continuity in an evolving threat landscape

Crypto-Agility: The Key to Future-Proof Cybersecurity

Migrating to new cryptographic standards in modern IT environments is a complex, multi-year process. For large enterprises, it’s comparable to rewiring a skyscraper while residents are still living in it.

The most dangerous mistakes organisations make are either delaying action (“quantum is years away”) or rushing into wholesale changes without a strategy.

The critical question is not which algorithm to choose, but how to stay agile enough to adapt as standards evolve.

Crypto-agility requires:

• Identifying data and systems requiring long-term protection

• Prioritising mission-critical assets

• Ensuring flexibility in cryptographic design

• Testing PQC through pilots and proofs of concept

• Building internal capability and expertise

Pilots particularly in areas such as supply chain optimisation—help organisations uncover hidden integration challenges while building practical, hands-on knowledge.

Because no organisation can execute this transformation alone, partnerships with startups, researchers, and global technology leaders are essential. Cloud-based quantum platforms from IBM, Microsoft, AWS, and Google allow experimentation without investing in specialised hardware.

Staying updated with evolving global standards, export controls, and government mandates ensures organisations remain compliant and may even gain a competitive advantage by shaping these standards early.

Most importantly, PQC must be integrated into broader digital transformation initiatives—including AI, advanced analytics, and high-performance computing so quantum strategies complement, rather than compete with, existing IT evolution.

The Future of Secure Data Requires Preparation Now

For Australian organisations, regulatory, operational, and geopolitical pressures are elevating cybersecurity to the highest levels of strategic planning. Post-quantum cryptography is no longer a theoretical concern; it must become a core part of decision-making.

When quantum disruption arrives, resilience will belong not to those who rushed or hesitated, but to those who prepared.
Australia’s secure digital future depends on the actions taken today.