IBM Quantum Safe Research Executive and Quantum Ambassador Umut Cikla reveals how malicious actors are employing the “harvest now, decrypt later”, a strategy that involves attackers collecting encrypted data today, with the intention of unlocking it in the future once quantum computers become powerful enough to break current security measures. .
“Quantum computers cannot solve all the problems in the world…But they can break today’s encryption, and that’s a problem we must face now, not later,” Cikla stated, urging organizations to act before these risks become a reality.
On June 2, Cikla joined the Makati Business Club for its second session of the AI in Action series where industry leaders, government representatives, and worldwide advocates of quantum unpacked and explored the promising future of quantum-safe cryptography.
IBM is regarded as an industry leader in quantum computing due to its early research and investment in the technology, and has recently announced a plan to invest more than $30 billion in the US over the next five years for research and development to boost manufacturing of mainframe and quantum computers.
Dr. Franz A. de Leon, Director of the Department of Science and Technology – Advanced Science and Technology Institute (DOST-ASTI), moderated the discussion with Cikla, Wilfred Tan, CTO of OmniPay, and CEO of Bastion, Inc., a pioneering payments systems company, and MBC members and partners from various industries, including technology, banking, and consulting.
To help illustrate the difference between today’s computers and quantum computers, Cikla used a simple analogy: traditional computers solve problems step by step, much like searching for the exit in a maze by checking each possible path one after another, which can take a lot of time. In contrast, quantum computers approach the maze like a mist that spreads throughout all the paths at once, quickly finding the exit without having to check each route individually. This means quantum computers can solve extremely complex problems much faster than regular computers, making them especially useful for challenges that are too difficult or time-consuming for today’s technology.
This opens up new opportunities for businesses in fields like risk analysis, optimization, and simulation. For instance, this would be especially crucial for financial service institutions detecting fraud, manufacturers for supply chain planning, and organizations managing logistics across the country’s over 7000 islands. As Cikla emphasized, “These types of problems exist in all industries,” from healthcare, automotive, to supply chain management and beyond.
Building Quantum Capacity in the Philippines
Recognizing the technology’s potential, the Philippines is actively pursuing advancements in quantum computing, with a focus on research, education, and the development of local expertise. Recently, the first energy-focused quantum laboratory, QISLaP, was launched at the Technological Institute of the Philippines, Manila under a PHP 18 million grant from the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD). This marks a strategic step toward building quantum infrastructure and cultivating industry-relevant applications.
Dr. Franz de Leon also noted that while quantum research in the country is still in its infancy, awareness is steadily growing. “There’s not a lot of scientists in the country doing quantum computing,” he admitted, “but we’ve seen the importance of shepherding researchers, building capabilities, and forming academic partnerships.”
“The physics behind quantum computing has existed for decades… So this is not something new, ladies and gentlemen, this is not something like that was invented by IBM yesterday or two years ago. This has been around for decades – the physics behind it. It’s only recently that the technology, the hardware side of it has matured enough,” Wilfred Tan echoed.
Accelerating quantum-safe transformation amid evolving security threats
Quantum computers are advancing rapidly and will soon be able to break the encryption that currently protects sensitive business transactions and data, putting organizations at significant risk. As Cikla warned, “In three to five years’ time, quantum computers will solve this in hours,” making it crucial for businesses to act now and begin upgrading their security protocols with quantum-resistant methods, rather than waiting until it’s too late.
IBM Philippines Country General Manager and Technology Leader Aileen Judan-Jiao also emphasized that businesses should start their quantum-safe journey today, beginning with simple assessments and proactive steps. Solutions like IBM Guardium Quantum Safe can help organizations monitor and address cryptographic vulnerabilities, ensuring their data remains protected against both current and future quantum-enabled threats.
Initiatives and Collaborative Roadmaps Underway
As the threat of quantum-enabled attacks becomes more immediate, a coordinated effort among government, academia, and industry is crucial to create a roadmap for quantum computing research and development in the Philippines. The business community and government have a vital role in driving quantum-safe adoption, ensuring local talent is nurtured and retained. Organizations can begin by upskilling teams, identifying internal champions for quantum topics, and engaging in early-stage collaborations with government and academia.
In closing, Umut Cikla underscored that national and industry-level strategies are key to staying ahead. “We support efforts to build a country strategy, [an] industry strategy—it is very important. Dr. Franz is already championing these efforts on the government side, which is a great thing to have. I think you can also identify some people that will own the topic in your organizations… and we are happy to support all those efforts working alongside you.”
The Philippines has a unique opportunity to get ahead of the curve, not just by adopting emerging tech, but by building an ecosystem that is quantum-aware, risk-resilient, and future-ready. With one more session left in the AI in Action series, MBC continues its commitment to fostering dynamic discussions and responsible innovation across sectors.
This article is brought to you by Makati Business Club.
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