Quantum computing risks highlighted by IBM executive

An IBM executive has warned about the potential risks of large-scale hacking linked to quantum computing, stating that the world remains unprepared for the implications of this technology. Alessandro Curioni, vice president of IBM Europe and Africa and director of the IBM laboratory in Zurich, noted that less than 10% of organizations are currently resistant to quantum computing. His comments were made on the sidelines of a conference organized by IBM in London. These risks add to concerns related to artificial intelligence, which already facilitates certain hacking operations, while cyberattacks are multiplying worldwide.

Potential targets of quantum hacking

Curioni highlighted potential consequences for "the internet, blockchains, banks, financial contracts, digital signatures." He suggested that malicious actors may first target financial institutions, then the industry, and eventually "the contract of your home." However, current quantum computers are not powerful enough to carry out such attacks, and the date when they could become so remains uncertain.

Preparing for quantum threats

David Debnam, director of operational risks and innovation at the British insurer Aviva, emphasized that the greatest risk is that data has already been collected and stored, which could be decrypted when quantum computers become sufficiently powerful. London recommends that organizations complete by 2035 their transition to cryptographic systems resistant to quantum attacks.

Global race for quantum computing

The United States, China, and France are among the nations engaged in the development of quantum computing. McKinsey estimates that this field could generate up to 2.700 billion dollars of economic value by 2035. According to Curioni, the benefits of quantum computing would be enormous, especially when combined with the abstraction capabilities of AI to "simulate problems that were until now too complex from a physical point of view."

IBM's quantum computing goals

IBM, a pioneer in this field where it competes with Microsoft and Google, aims to develop by 2029 a quantum computer sufficiently reliable to perform calculations beyond the reach of classical computers. These machines exploit the properties of quantum physics and could, for example, help design new drugs or materials.