The United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD) says that 80% of countries now have or are making laws to protect data and privacy. This is important as technology keeps changing.
On the one hand, quantum computing could unlock unprecedented breakthroughs. On the other—it could pose an existential threat to humanity.
While the industry isn’t at the point where quantum computers can break most of today’s encryption, it’s still important to think about how they could soon change data protection. Cyber defenders need to start thinking ahead about how quantum computers could affect data security, especially when it comes to how hackers might use them.
For example, Google’s Willow and quantum computers, in general, could help hackers make better attacks. Armed with the right tools, maliciously creative actors might gain the capabilities to:
Easily Break Encryption
Many encryption methods, like Rivest-Shamir-Adleman, are hard for regular computers to crack. But quantum computers can solve these problems much faster, breaking current encryption methods more easily.
Accelerate Password Cracking
Quantum computers could speed up the process of guessing passwords. This means attackers could crack many different password types more quickly with brute-force attacks.
Hinder Secure Communications
Many online services use encryption to keep messages safe. Quantum computers might be able to break these encryptions, allowing attackers to steal or change information during transmission.
Use Unknown Types of Attacks
Quantum computers could also help create new kinds of attacks that are impossible for regular computers to carry out, making current security systems less reliable.
A common and powerful encryption method, Rivest-Shamir-Adleman, uses a public and private key to keep data secure, ensuring only authorized people can decrypt messages. It’s widely used to protect things like emails, website connections (SSL/TLS), and digital signatures.
However, as quantum computers get stronger, Rivest-Shamir-Adleman encryption could become outdated. What was once considered a strong, future-proof method might soon be seen as a “traditional” encryption technique.
That’s Why Improving Data Protection Is Crucial
Improving data protection is crucial for any organization that wants to protect personal data and follow data protection laws. Understanding your data and using best practices to stay compliant are key steps.
By establishing robust data protection initiatives, organizations can manage risks, gain clients’ trust—and meet legal requirements.
They should establish custom support and rely on expert advice and easy-to-follow solutions to handle data protection. Whether you need help from a consultant or a Data Protection Officer (DPO), having the right people and resources ensures you stay on track.
With access to helpful guides, model documents, and experience from working with various organizations, a well-organized data protection plan gives you the tools and knowledge to protect sensitive data and stay compliant.
Setting Up robust Data Protection
There’s a concern that when a strong enough quantum computer is created, it might not be revealed right away. This could let hackers easily break data encrypted with older methods, causing a big security risk.
To ensure data resilience in an ever-evolving landscape, consider the following steps.
Assess and Audit Current Data Protection Practices
Understanding the current state of data protection is critical. Start by reviewing your current data protection systems to understand the types of data you have, how it’s stored, and how it’s secured.
Look for weaknesses, especially in encryption methods that could be vulnerable to future tech like quantum computing, such as outdated encryption algorithms like Rivest-Shamir-Adleman. Finally, check that your practices align with data protection laws such as the general data protection regulation, the California Consumer Privacy Act, and any local privacy regulations to stay compliant.
Integrate Quantum-Resistant Technologies
As quantum computing grows, old encryption methods will become weak. Start using quantum-resistant cryptography to protect data from future risks.
Look into post-quantum cryptography, like lattice-based or hash-based encryption, which is made to stop attacks from quantum computers. These methods are safe for the future.
Use regular encryption and quantum-resistant options to keep data secure today and in the future. Also, keep an eye on new quantum-safe solutions being developed by groups like NIST, as they are creating rules to protect data from future quantum threats.
Enhance Security Infrastructure
Focus on integrating quantum-safe protocols and ensuring your security layers are future-proof. Keep using a multi-layered security approach, which will still work even in a world with quantum computing. Make sure quantum-safe encryption is part of every security layer.
As quantum computers improve, they might break the Secure Sockets Layer and Transport Layer Security Encryption, so start moving towards quantum-resistant protocols to protect online communications.
Collaboration with Third-Party Providers
Make sure that third-party vendors and cloud service providers are adopting quantum-safe technologies. Collaborate to mitigate external risks as quantum computing evolves.
Make sure your cloud services are working on quantum-safe encryption to protect your data from future quantum risks. Also, check that third-party vendors or contractors, especially those handling sensitive data, are using quantum-resistant methods.
Plan for Backup and Recovery
To reduce the impact of a breach or disaster, all backup data should be encrypted and stored safely, either on-site or in the cloud, with backups in different locations. Regular updates keep data current, and offsite storage helps protect against physical disasters.
A disaster recovery plan should include clear steps for restoring encrypted data after an incident. It should be tested and updated regularly to stay on top of new risks and technologies.
Business continuity procedures help keep things running during a system failure or breach. The plan should focus on getting important systems back online and providing access to secure backup data. Regular testing, training, and updates make sure the plan works well and adjusts to new risks.
Conclusion
Quantum computers could soon break old encryption methods like Rivest-Shamir-Adleman, putting data at risk. Though they can’t do this yet, it’s important to start preparing now. Use stronger encryption, improve security, and set up good backup and recovery plans.
By creating a data protection center and working with outside providers, organizations can keep data safe and stay ready for future challenges.
Transform your data protection efforts to keep pace with the quantum leap in computing.
