Issue Race to upgrade encryption before quantum computers make it obsolete

Summary

The report expects the next digital security standard to be a race against the clock to overhaul global cybersecurity before current encryption becomes useless. Almost all online activity is shielded by security systems built on mathematical problems that today's computers struggle to solve, but quantum computers could undermine that premise. The race is most pressing in critical sectors such as banking, defence and health, which must guarantee data confidentiality over long periods. Post-quantum cryptography seeks to protect information even against quantum machines by refining and standardising key exchange algorithms such as CRYSTALS-Kyber. International efforts including NIST, Open QKD and PROMETHEUS are working on standards, and Spain is pursuing Quantum Spain and a national quantum technologies strategy. The report regards this transition as a pillar of the digital future.