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The Promise of Quantum Technologies Quantum technologies (QT), like artificial intelligence (AI), are reshaping industries and research landscapes around the world. By tapping into the principles of quantum mechanics, QT promises to unlock new potential far beyond what traditional technologies can achieve. Quantum computing, for example, promises to process and analyze data exponentially faster, opening doors to innovations in drug discovery, materials science, and beyond. As Forbes highlights, “the speed and power of quantum computing will enable us to tackle some of the most difficult problems that humanity has ever faced.” But, just as AI has revolutionized fields like cybersecurity, cloud computing, and data analytics, quantum computing introduces a profound challenge to these very domains—redefining how we think about privacy, security, and risk management. As the cyber domain grows more complex, the rise of quantum computing introduces a powerful yet perilous shift. While its capabilities offer immense potential, the rapid advancement of this technology is set to disrupt current systems and reveal hidden weaknesses across essential global infrastructures. Economic Potential and Emerging Impact While the risks are clear, quantum technologies are also expected to be an economic powerhouse. McKinsey & Company forecasts that quantum technologies could generate somewhere between $1 trillion to $2 trillion in economic value by 2035.Source: McKinsey This impact will span a variety of sectors, including finance, healthcare, logistics, and beyond. Quantum computing, especially when paired with AI, promises major breakthroughs across industries. But with these advancements come new cybersecurity challenges that demand urgent attention. With industries becoming increasingly dependent on digital infrastructure, the adoption of quantum technologies will change how security protocols are structured. Today’s encryption methods, which were designed to withstand attacks from traditional computational systems, are ill-equipped to handle the computing power of quantum machines. For organizations and nations around the world, this presents an urgent dilemma: how can we harness the potential of quantum while mitigating its threats? Quantum Computing Fundamentals At its core, quantum computing operates on the principles of quantum mechanics, the branch of physics that governs the behavior of particles at the subatomic level. Unlike classical computers, which use bits (represented as either a 0 or 1), quantum computers use quantum bits, or qubits. These qubits are unique in their ability to represent multiple states simultaneously—a capability made possible by the phenomenon of superposition. This ability to exist in multiple states enables quantum computers to process enormous amounts of data in parallel, which exponentially increases their computational power. Furthermore, quantum computers make use of entanglement—a phenomenon in which the states of two or more qubits become correlated, even when separated by vast distances. This means that the state of one qubit can instantly affect the state of another, regardless of how far apart they are. This form of instantaneous communication between qubits allows quantum computers to perform calculations that are far beyond the capabilities of classical machines. While these properties of quantum mechanics offer unparalleled computational advantages, they also introduce significant challenges. The sheer computational power of quantum machines could