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	<p>Quantum computing uses the principles of quantum mechanics to perform calculations at speeds unimaginable with classical computers.</p>
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	<p>In cybersecurity, quantum computing presents a dual-edged sword: the potential to break existing encryption, but also to create unbreakable new systems.</p>
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	<p>Traditional encryption methods like RSA and ECC rely on mathematical problems that quantum computers could solve easily.</p>
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	<p>Shor&rsquo;s Algorithm enables a quantum computer to break RSA encryption by factoring large prime numbers efficiently.</p>
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	<p>Grover&rsquo;s Algorithm speeds up brute-force attacks on symmetric encryption algorithms, halving their effective security.</p>
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	<p>This looming threat is called &quot;Q-Day&quot; &mdash; the moment when quantum machines can break current cryptographic systems.</p>
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	<p>The U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is developing post-quantum cryptography (PQC) standards.</p>
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	<p>Post-quantum cryptographic algorithms are designed to resist both classical and quantum attacks.</p>
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	<p>Examples of PQC include lattice-based, hash-based, multivariate polynomial, and code-based cryptography.</p>
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	<p>In 2025, organizations are beginning to test migration plans toward quantum-resistant encryption protocols.</p>
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	<p>Governments worldwide are funding quantum-safe cybersecurity initiatives and infrastructure upgrades.</p>
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	<p>Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) uses quantum mechanics to exchange encryption keys securely and detect eavesdropping.</p>
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	<p>Countries like China and the USA are already experimenting with QKD over satellite and fiber networks.</p>
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	<p>QKD does not depend on computational complexity but on the physical properties of particles, making it theoretically unbreakable.</p>
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	<p>Hybrid encryption systems combine classical and quantum-safe encryption for transition periods.</p>
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	<p>Cybersecurity vendors now offer &ldquo;quantum readiness assessments&rdquo; to evaluate organizational risks.</p>
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	<p>Banks, healthcare institutions, and defense sectors are the earliest adopters of quantum-safe systems.</p>
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	<p>Sensitive information with long confidentiality lifespans (e.g., medical or defense records) must be encrypted with quantum-resistant algorithms.</p>
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	<p>Cloud providers like AWS and Google Cloud are offering PQC-compatible key management services.</p>
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	<p>Hardware security modules (HSMs) are being upgraded to handle quantum-safe keys.</p>
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	<p>Email, VPN, and secure messaging platforms are starting to implement lattice-based encryption.</p>
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	<p>Identity and access management (IAM) platforms now support quantum-safe digital signatures.</p>
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	<p>Zero Trust security architectures are integrating PQC to future-proof their authentication mechanisms.</p>
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	<p>Blockchain technology is also vulnerable to quantum threats, especially if public keys are exposed.</p>
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	<p>Quantum-resistant blockchains are being designed with upgraded hashing and signature schemes.</p>
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	<p>Developers are being trained in PQC libraries like Open Quantum Safe (OQS) and CRYSTALS.</p>
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	<p>Internet protocols such as TLS and SSH are being modified to accommodate PQC.</p>
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	<p>National security agencies advise against using algorithms not on the NIST shortlist.</p>
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	<p>Organizations are encouraged to use crypto-agility &mdash; the ability to swap encryption methods without major system changes.</p>
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	<p>Encrypted backups should also be reviewed and re-encrypted using quantum-safe standards.</p>
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	<p>Quantum computers also offer potential advantages in cybersecurity: faster anomaly detection, threat analysis, and encryption.</p>
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	<p>Quantum machine learning could help predict cyber threats with higher accuracy.</p>
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	<p>However, cybercriminals may also use quantum technology for advanced attacks.</p>
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	<p>Quantum supremacy, when quantum computers outperform classical ones in specific tasks, was achieved by Google in 2019.</p>
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	<p>Despite advances, general-purpose quantum computers are still years away from breaking large-scale cryptography.</p>
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	<p>Experts warn against complacency, urging organizations to act proactively.</p>
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	<p>Cyber insurance companies are starting to include quantum risk assessments in their underwriting.</p>
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	<p>Nation-state actors may already be harvesting encrypted data for future decryption post-Q-Day.</p>
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	<p>Data harvested today may be vulnerable tomorrow &mdash; a concept known as &quot;harvest now, decrypt later.&quot;</p>
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	<p>Enterprises are conducting &quot;crypto inventory&quot; audits to map where cryptographic algorithms are used.</p>
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	<p>PQC testing is being done through &quot;shadow cryptography&quot; &mdash; encrypting in parallel with both current and PQC algorithms.</p>
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	<p>5G and 6G networks are being built with quantum-resistant protocols to ensure long-term viability.</p>
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	<p>Academic institutions are incorporating PQC and quantum cybersecurity into their curricula.</p>
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	<p>International collaboration is critical to create globally accepted PQC standards.</p>
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	<p>Quantum cyber ranges simulate attack-defense scenarios using quantum algorithms.</p>
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	<p>Open-source quantum emulators are helping security professionals understand potential vulnerabilities.</p>
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	<p>Governments may soon require compliance with PQC regulations for critical infrastructure.</p>
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