There are growing concerns about the government’s overdue protection against quantum computers. According to the Court of Audit, protection should be in order before 2030, but the question is whether this will be achieved.
Data is no longer protected within 4 years
The Court of Audit predicts that “q-day”, the day when quantum computers can crack all existing security, will arrive in 2030. Before then, the entire central government must be “quantum proof”. And that is exactly what the Court of Audit seems to be very concerned about.
Their recent report, which was discussed behind closed doors in the House of Representatives this week, shows that three-quarters of organizations have yet to start taking protective measures.
If this is not arranged in time, malicious parties can, for example, manipulate data for passports and DigiD. It can also go so far that in theory your precious cryptocurrencies can easily be stolen.
The outgoing State Secretary for Digitalization, Eddie van Marum, offered a tool to improve security a year ago. Nevertheless, the vast majority of the 63 bodies investigated, including the Tax Authorities and the Police, appear not to have invested enough time in this subject.
Several security steps are required
Court of Audit director Ewout Irrgang warns in the explanatory notes to the report. This is not about scenarios, but actual dangers. For example, what would happen if the storm surge barrier would not close at high tide?
Irrgang also believes that steps should also be taken in other areas to protect our privacy-sensitive data. For example, a European cloud must be developed as quickly as possible, which is also “quantum proof”. In this way we reduce our dependence on American IT systems and increase our own protection.
Special encryption can solve problems
Quantum computers will have unprecedented computing power. Major companies, such as Google and IBM, have been developing it for some time. They expect that the end product will only be better than the best computer available at the moment after 2033.
Since these developments are happening very quickly, current security techniques may soon be cracked by these new devices. It is therefore very important that the government takes quick steps to reduce the risks for citizens and companies. Special encryptions can be used for this, which have already been shared by the American government.
Millions needed to maintain top position in quantum world
The Netherlands has a strong position within the quantum world. Partly because the government previously released a subsidy of 615 million euros for the developments. That money has now almost run out, which means that more money will soon have to be pledged from the government to maintain the momentum.
Other countries, on the other hand, are investing billions in this new technology. In order to maintain the current lead and strong position, the new government will have to step in. At the same time, security measures will have to speed up in order to protect every Dutch citizen against malicious parties in the future.
Source: https://newsbit.nl/nederland-loopt-risico-quantum-day-komt-sneller-dan-gedacht/
