Page 187 - Cyber Defense eMagazine December 2023

The Quantum Shift

Preparing Cybersecurity for a New Era

By Sercan Okur, VP of Technology, NextRay

In contrast to my previous pieces, I intend to commence this piece with a hypothetical calamitous
situation. Suppose that in the year 2030, a significant global incident occurs, showcasing the capricious
and devastating potential of quantum computing when wielded by malicious actors. Through the
implementation of a meticulously strategized quantum computer assault on a nation's vital infrastructure,
a collective of cyber assailants possesses the capability to expose the confidential information of a
sovereign entity or induce severe economic and political devastation by causing the breakdown of
banking systems and the incapacitation of power grids. In this particular instance, asserting that no cyber
assault has hitherto inflicted such profound consequences could be deemed a highly assertive claim.

The perilous assault conducted by these digital marauders was not a unique occurrence; rather, it marked
the initiation of a sequence of attacks, with each subsequent one inflicting greater devastation than its
predecessor. The ongoing series of attacks poses a significant threat to both national security and public
safety. These incidents highlight a potential scenario in which quantum computers may emerge as a
formidable weapon capable of causing widespread harm, leading to the disruption of social order and the
paralysis of governments.

Furthermore, while contemplating the potential occurrence of an attack amongst a natural calamity, the
ramifications can be exacerbated, as the endeavor to avert or alleviate the impacts of said attack can

Cyber Defense eMagazine – December 2023 Edition 187
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