Quantum computing: Why your organization should prepare now

Quantum computing is coming: Discover the potential, the risks and why your organization should act today to stay ahead.

In brief

• Quantum computers will have the power to optimize complex problems and help organizations through better and faster solutions
• Optimization and drug discovery are key areas where quantum could deliver real-time, high-impact results.
• Organizations must act now – from exploring use cases to adopting quantum-safe encryption. 

What is quantum computing – and why does it matter now

Today’s computers process information using bits — 0s and 1s — to perform calculations. Quantum computers, however, use qubits, which can represent multiple states at once. Imagine a sphere: while classical bits sit at the poles (0 or 1), qubits can be anywhere on the surface, unlocking exponentially more computing power.

The unique foundation of quantum computing enables significantly faster problem-solving capabilities. To illustrate this, consider the task of navigating a maze. A classical computer explores one path at a time, encountering dead ends and retrying until – in the worst case - all possible paths have been tested. A quantum computer, by contrast, can evaluate every potential path simultaneously. This ability to process vast possibilities in parallel is what makes quantum computing so powerful - and so promising. [Note: The maze is a conceptual example used only to illustrate the type of speedup one can expect with a quantum computer.]

While we’re still in the early days of this technology, much like the first classical computers, the potential is enormous. Organizations that begin exploring quantum now will be better positioned to lead when the technology matures.
 

Opportunities and risks: what quantum brings to the table

Quantum computing opens up new frontiers — and new responsibilities. On the opportunities horizon, we expect that optimization will be one of the strongest use cases for quantum computing. As this technology will be able to process much more information in a much shorter timeframe, real-time processing will likely become a reality.

• Optimization at scale: This could be particularly valuable in logistics, where data such as current traffic, weather conditions, and other parameters can be processed simultaneously to determine the most efficient route at any given moment.
  
  
• Accelerated drug discovery: In the pharmaceutical sector, testing new medicines typically requires significant time and resources. With quantum computing, more simulations can be run in a ‘dry-lab’ environment, reducing both cost and time. Candidates that perform well in these simulations are more likely to succeed in further testing, making the development process more efficient and targeted.
  

Just like other emerging technologies such as AI, quantum computing also introduces new risks, especially in the area of cybersecurity.

• A threat to today’s encryption: Many of our current data protection mechanisms rely on cryptography to keep information confidential. These systems use mathematical problems that are easy to solve if you know a secret key, but extremely difficult to crack without it,  at least for classical computers. However, these problems are not necessarily difficult for quantum computers. A sufficiently powerful quantum machine could solve them quickly, potentially breaking widely used encryption methods.
  
  
• The ‘harvest now, decrypt later’ risk: Even if quantum computers capable of breaking encryption don’t exist yet, the threat is already real. Sensitive data sent over the internet today could be intercepted and stored by malicious actors. While they can’t decrypt it now, they could do so in the future once quantum capabilities catch up. This is known as the “harvest now, decrypt later” scenario. To mitigate this risk, organizations should begin transitioning to quantum-safe cryptography — encryption methods designed to withstand attacks from quantum computers and protect data that needs to remain secure for years to come.

How your organization can take action now

Quantum computing may still be in its early stages, but organizations don’t need to wait for fully mature hardware to start preparing. In fact, there are meaningful steps you can take today to build readiness and resilience.

• Start developing quantum-inspired algorithms: Many of the problems quantum computing aims to solve require new types of algorithms. These can already be developed and tested using classical computers. Doing so helps your teams build familiarity with quantum logic and often leads to performance improvements in your current systems  even before quantum hardware is in place.
  
  
• Explore use cases and build internal awareness: Begin identifying where quantum computing could create value in your organization, whether in logistics, finance, pharmaceuticals, or beyond. Encourage cross-functional teams to explore potential applications and stay informed about developments in the field.
  
  
• Transition to quantum-safe cryptography: Given the long-term threat quantum computing poses to today’s encryption methods, it’s critical to begin migrating to quantum-secure algorithms. Sensitive data transmitted today could be intercepted and stored — and decrypted years later when quantum computers become powerful enough. This risk, known as “harvest now, decrypt later,” means that data requiring long-term confidentiality must be protected now using encryption that can withstand future quantum attacks.

By taking these steps today, your organization can stay ahead of the curve - building both technical capability and strategic resilience in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.