Post-Quantum Economic Security
Post-quantum economic security focuses on ensuring that digital economies remain secure through transitional periods as quantum computing advances and becomes capable of breaking current cryptographic systems, recognizing that the transition to quantum-resistant cryptography will be complex and take time. It involves proactive adoption of quantum-resistant cryptographic standards (algorithms that are secure against quantum computers), managing "harvest now, decrypt later" risks (where attackers collect encrypted data now and decrypt it later when quantum computers become available), and coordinating key rotation (changing cryptographic keys) for long-lived instruments (financial instruments that last for years or decades) and archives (historical records that need to remain secure) across jurisdictions (different countries with different regulations and timelines), ensuring that digital economic systems remain secure as quantum computing capabilities advance.
This innovation addresses the threat that quantum computers pose to current cryptographic systems, where the transition to quantum-resistant cryptography is urgent but complex. By planning proactively, these efforts can ensure continued security. Standards organizations, governments, and technology companies are developing these approaches.
The technology is essential for maintaining security as quantum computing advances, where current systems will become vulnerable. As quantum computing progresses, transition planning becomes increasingly urgent. However, coordinating transitions, managing complexity, and achieving adoption remain challenges. The technology represents an important area of security planning, but requires coordinated effort across many stakeholders. Success could ensure continued security, but the transition must be carefully planned and executed. The transition to post-quantum cryptography is one of the most important security challenges facing digital economies.
