As quantum computing rapidly moves from theory to reality, the digital world faces a challenge unlike any it has encountered before, prompting a shift toward quantum safe security. The backbone of modern online activity, encryption underpins everything from banking transactions and healthcare records to critical infrastructure and everyday digital services. Yet, the advent of quantum computers threatens to render traditional encryption methods vulnerable. In response, the United Arab Emirates is taking decisive action, establishing strategies and regulations designed to secure its digital future and stay ahead of emerging threats.

Mohammed Aboul-Magd, Vice President of Product at SandboxAQ Cybersecurity, emphasizes that these measures are not about preparing for some distant tomorrow, they are about protecting today’s data from the quantum-powered attacks of the near future.

“The UAE is taking a very forward-looking approach with the announcement of regulations around encryption and preparing for the post-quantum era,” he explains. He stresses that encryption is essential for everyday digital activities. “Every time we conduct a bank transaction, make an online purchase, or even stream a video, encryption is what keeps all these actions and transactions secure.”

The risk, he notes, comes from quantum computers ability to break the encryption that secures the digital economy. “IBM recently announced that their Loon chip, which is a quantum computing chip, is expected to be operational by 2029. That is very close. It’s not far off.”

To help organizations prepare for the post-quantum era, Mohammed outlines a three-step approach.

Step One: Build an Inventory
“You cannot protect what you do not know,” he says. Organizations must first understand where their encryption is used and the types of encryption currently in place. Establishing visibility is critical before any further action can be taken.

Step Two: Understand and Prioritize Risk
Once an inventory is established, organizations must assess and prioritize their risks. “Breaking the problem down into manageable steps is key. Services that are mission critical, revenue generating, or directly affect citizens should be addressed first,” he explains. This ensures that resources are focused on the areas of highest impact.

Step Three: Implement Crypto Agility
Finally, organizations must adopt crypto agility, integrating post-quantum safe practices into their systems and processes. “This could involve updating developer workflows so that software is designed to be post-quantum safe from the start. It also applies to processes, such as updating Requests for Proposals to ensure that vendors meet post-quantum safety standards.”

Mohammed also highlights which industries are leading the charge. “The sectors taking the lead include government, financial services, healthcare, and any area dealing with highly sensitive data, whether it is data at rest, like financial or healthcare records, or critical infrastructure information. These industries are actively partnering with governments to ensure infrastructure is prepared for the arrival of quantum computing.”

Alignment with global standards is another crucial element. “There are algorithms already available that are resilient to quantum attacks. NIST has identified several post-quantum safe encryption algorithms. SandboxAQ collaborates closely with NIST and has contributed to the development of two of these algorithms,” he notes.

Mohammed underscores the urgency of acting now. “Many adversaries, including state sponsored actors and other malicious entities, are employing what we call a ‘harvest now, decrypt later’ approach. They infiltrate systems today, collect encrypted data, and wait for quantum computers to emerge so that they can decrypt it. The timeline for action starts today. Waiting three or five years is no longer an option.”

The shortage of cryptography experts presents a challenge, but it is far from insurmountable. “The UAE government is taking steps to develop local talent and attract global expertise in fields such as AI, quantum computing, and cryptography,” Mohammed explains. “At the same time, organizations do not need to have in-house expert cryptographers to start their transition. There are platforms and tools designed to support this journey. SandboxAQ, for example, provides our platform, AQtive Guard, which is assisting organizations including the United States’ Department of War in moving toward post-quantum safe encryption. These solutions allow organizations to upgrade their encryption standards without immediately needing specialized staff.”

Finally, Mohammed reiterates the immediacy of the challenge. “This is not a problem for tomorrow. It is not a three or five year issue. It is a problem that must be addressed today. Quantum computing may seem distant, but the risks and preparations needed are immediate. Organizations must begin their post-quantum journey now to secure data for the future.”

The UAE’s proactive approach in developing policy, prioritizing risk, and implementing post-quantum safe practices reflects a broader commitment to cybersecurity. By adopting these measures today, the nation is positioning itself to safeguard critical information, protect citizens, and maintain trust in digital systems even as quantum computing reshapes the technological landscape.

As quantum technology continues to evolve, the steps outlined by experts like Mohammed Aboul-Magd serve as a crucial roadmap for organizations across sectors. Building visibility, prioritizing risks, and ensuring crypto agility are not just technical measures, they are essential actions to protect the integrity of digital infrastructure and maintain confidence in the digital economy.

The race is on. With proactive strategies, strong regulatory frameworks, and the adoption of post-quantum safe technologies, the UAE is not waiting for the future of cybersecurity to arrive, it is creating it.

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