Quantum Computing Creates Cyber Risks as Firms Lag Behind
European IT leaders express concern about quantum computing’s impact on cybersecurity, yet only 4% of organisations have developed strategies to address the technology, according to new research from ISACA, the global professional association for cybersecurity credentials.
The research comes amid significant quantum computing hardware advancements. Microsoft launched its Majorana 1 chip in February 2025, Google unveiled its ‘state of the art’ Willow chip in December 2024 and AWS introduced its Ocelot chip in February 2025. These developments potentially accelerate the timeline for quantum computing to become mainstream, bringing both innovation opportunities and cybersecurity challenges.
Recent quantum computing hardware advancements raise cybersecurity concerns
ISACA’s research indicates that quantum computing presents significant cybersecurity risks that organisations must prepare for. The study found 67% of European IT professionals worry that quantum computing could increase or shift cybersecurity risks over the next decade.
Recent hardware developments from major technology companies highlight the accelerating pace of quantum development. Microsoft’s Majorana 1 chip aims to enable quantum computer creation, while Google’s Willow chip and AWS's Ocelot chip represent respective advancements in quantum processing capabilities. But despite these recent developments, organisational readiness remains low.
“Given recent quantum advancements and breakthroughs, we can expect quantum computing to be present in our day-to-day platforms and processes within the next few years,” says Chris Dimitriadis, Chief Global Strategy Officer at ISACA. “Whilst this will present great opportunities for innovation in several industries, significant cybersecurity risks emerge both in terms of quantum in a silo as well as through the rise of Quantum AI.”
Dimitriadis highlights specific concerns about cryptography: “Cryptography is present in all businesses, industries and sectors, and quantum computing has the potential to break the cryptographic protocols that we use, rendering simple services useless. At the same time, quantum will substantially transform AI by boosting its capabilities, together with the risks associated with it.”
The research shows that 67% of IT professionals fear quantum computing could break current internet encryption before platforms implement new post-quantum cryptography standards.
NIST post-quantum cryptography standards remain unfamiliar territory for organisations
Despite the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) working on post-quantum cryptography standards for over a decade, only 5% of IT professionals report having a strong understanding of these standards. This knowledge gap demonstrates how organisations remain unprepared for quantum computing’s arrival.
The research also reveals low levels of quantum literacy within businesses. Just 2% of respondents strongly agree they have a good understanding of quantum computing capabilities.
This literacy gap extends to strategic planning. The research found that 52% of organisations have not integrated quantum computing into formal strategies or roadmaps and have no plans to do so. Furthermore, 40% of cyber and IT professionals report their organisations have not considered implementing post-quantum cryptography.
Quantum skills investment programme requires organisational commitment and workforce development
The UK Government has committed over £60m for quantum skills programmes running until 2034, recognising the need to build workforce capabilities. However, ISACA’s research suggests organisations must also invest in their teams' quantum literacy.
- 67% of European IT professionals worry quantum computing could increase cybersecurity risks, yet only 4% of organisations have a defined quantum computing strategy
- Major technology companies accelerated quantum hardware development in recent months: Microsoft's Majorana 1 chip (February 2025), Google's Willow chip (December 2024) and AWS's Ocelot chip (February 2025)
- 52% of organisations have not integrated quantum computing into strategies or roadmaps and have no plans to do so, while 40% have not considered implementing post-quantum cryptography
The disconnect between recognised risks and organisational preparedness appears stark. While 56% of cyber and IT professionals welcome quantum computing as creating business opportunities, and 44% believe it will create revolutionary innovations, only 4% report their organisation has a defined quantum computing strategy.
Additionally, only 35% believe quantum computing will enter the mainstream within years rather than decades, suggesting many remain unaware of the accelerated timelines signaled by recent hardware developments from Microsoft, Google and AWS.
“As a society that relies so heavily on digital systems, it's imperative that we take this seriously,” Dimitriadis says. “Organisations must make sure that they are already planning about how their operations might look in a post-quantum world, while they keep developing a holistically trained workforce on AI. They simply cannot afford to defer this critical preparation, risking the stability of the global economy itself. We need to build a holistically trained workforce on Quantum (and continue doing this for AI) and then create a plan for transition to the post-quantum era, enabling the safe adoption of these emerging technologies, so we can enjoy the benefits of innovation in a safe manner.”
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