Abstract Background The emergence of quantum computing poses unprecedented threats to current cryptographic systems, potentially rendering RSA, ECC, and other widely-deployed algorithms vulnerable to exponential-time attacks. Objective This study provides a comprehensive analysis of quantum threats to cryptography through systematic review of 67 recent publications (2018–2025), identifying vulnerabilities, evaluating countermeasures, and proposing novel hybrid security frameworks with validated economic models. Methods We conducted a systematic literature review using PRISMA-ScR guidelines, analyzed 847 cryptographic implementations across different sectors, developed a quantum threat assessment matrix, and validated our hybrid framework through field deployments in automotive and healthcare sectors. Cross-disciplinary methodologies from quantum physics, AI, and cybersecurity were integrated using context-aware security (CAS) principles. Results Our analysis reveals three critical threat vectors: immediate harvest-now-decrypt-later (HNDL) attacks affecting 67% of surveyed organizations, medium-term RSA/ECC vulnerabilities projected for 2030–2035, and long-term post-quantum transition challenges. We achieved an 800-fold improvement in quantum error correction implementation and demonstrated that our AI-enhanced hybrid cryptographic framework reduces vulnerability exposure by 94% while maintaining 99.4% system uptime. Economic analysis shows 214% greater cost efficiency for SMEs compared to standalone PQC implementations. Conclusions Quantum threats require immediate action despite uncertain timelines. Our proposed AI-enhanced hybrid cryptographic framework, combining post-quantum algorithms with quantum key distribution and FPGA acceleration, provides 99.7% security assurance against projected quantum capabilities through 2040 at 37% below industry average costs.
Abstract Background The emergence of quantum computing poses unprecedented threats to current cryptographic systems, potentially rendering RSA, ECC, and other widely-deployed algorithms vulnerable to exponential-time attacks. Objective This study provides a comprehensive analysis of quantum threats to cryptography through systematic review of 67 recent publications (2018–2025), identifying vulnerabilities, evaluating countermeasures, and proposing novel hybrid security frameworks with validated economic models. Methods We conducted a systematic literature review using PRISMA-ScR guidelines, analyzed 847 cryptographic implementations across different sectors, developed a quantum threat assessment matrix, and validated our hybrid framework through field deployments in automotive and healthcare sectors. Cross-disciplinary methodologies from quantum physics, AI, and cybersecurity were integrated using context-aware security (CAS) principles. Results Our analysis reveals three critical threat vectors: immediate harvest-now-decrypt-later (HNDL) attacks affecting 67% of surveyed organizations, medium-term RSA/ECC vulnerabilities projected for 2030–2035, and long-term post-quantum transition challenges. We achieved an 800-fold improvement in quantum error correction implementation and demonstrated that our AI-enhanced hybrid cryptographic framework reduces vulnerability exposure by 94% while maintaining 99.4% system uptime. Economic analysis shows 214% greater cost efficiency for SMEs compared to standalone PQC implementations. Conclusions Quantum threats require immediate action despite uncertain timelines. Our proposed AI-enhanced hybrid cryptographic framework, combining post-quantum algorithms with quantum key distribution and FPGA acceleration, provides 99.7% security assurance against projected quantum capabilities through 2040 at 37% below industry average costs.
The rapid advancement of quantum computing presents both unprecedented opportunities and significant threats to modern cybersecurity. As quantum processors progress toward practical large-scale deployment, widely used cryptographic systems, particularly RSA, ECC, and other public-key mechanisms, face the risk of becoming obsolete. This review examines how quantum technologies can be strategically leveraged to enhance cybersecurity while simultaneously addressing the vulnerabilities introduced by quantum-enabled attacks. A systematic analysis of 35-40 peer-reviewed studies was conducted to evaluate developments in post-quantum cryptography, quantum-resistant security protocols, Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), and hybrid classical–quantum defense architectures. The findings reveal a rapidly evolving research landscape focused on resilient lattice-based cryptography, scalable quantum-safe communication frameworks, and early-stage quantum machine learning applications for intrusion detection. The review highlights both the promise and current limitations of quantum-driven security solutions, including hardware constraints, integration challenges, and the need for global standardization. The study underscores the urgency for governments, industries, and researchers to adopt quantum-ready cybersecurity strategies and accelerate the transition to quantum-resilient infrastructures.
The rapid advancements in quantum computing pose significant threats to traditional cryptographic systems, which are foundational to securing modern digital infrastructure. Cryptosystems like RSA and ECC, currently relied upon for secure communications, are vulnerable to quantum attacks, necessitating the development of post-quantum cryptography (PQC). The proposed methodology in this paper focuses on safeguarding critical infrastructure from quantum-based cyberattacks by leveraging PQC. The framework integrates several key strategies: hybrid cryptography, which combines classical and post-quantum algorithms to ensure security even as quantum threats evolve; quantum key distribution (QKD), ensuring secure communication by detecting any interception attempts; and post-quantum algorithms designed to resist quantum computing capabilities. The methodology also includes a robust security layer with incident response and threat monitoring systems to detect anomalies and initiate rapid responses to potential attacks. This holistic approach secures vital sectors like healthcare, energy, and telecommunications by future-proofing cryptographic measures against quantum threats.
The advent of quantum computing poses a paradigm-shifting threat to classical cryptographic systems that underpin global digital security. As quantum processors advance towards practical scalability, previously secure encryption schemesparticularly those based on integer factorization (e.g., RSA) and discrete logarithm problems (e.g., ECC and DH)-are rendered vulnerable due to quantum algorithms like Shor's and Grover's. This paper critically examines the implications of quantum computing for contemporary cryptographic frameworks and explores the urgent need to transition toward quantum-resistant alternatives. We begin by analyzing the computational capabilities of quantum systems and their impact on symmetric and asymmetric cryptographic algorithms. The study delves into the principles of postquantum cryptography (PQC), including lattice-based, hash-based, code-based, multivariate polynomial, and supersingular isogeny cryptography, evaluating their strengths, implementation challenges, and resistance to quantum attacks. Additionally, we assess ongoing global initiatives such as NIST's post-quantum cryptography standardization project, highlighting their role in shaping future security infrastructures. The paper also considers hybrid cryptographic models and quantum key distribution (QKD) as transitional and long-term security strategies. By rethinking security from both theoretical and practical standpoints, this study emphasizes the need for immediate and collaborative action across academia, industry, and government sectors to future-proof digital communication systems against the looming quantum threat.
This research delves into the critical analysis of vulnerabilities arising from the advent of quantum computing in traditional cryptographic systems. Employing a newly developed mathematical formulation model, the study meticulously evaluates the susceptibility of classical encryption methods, exemplified by XYZ Bank's RSA and ECC algorithms, to quantum algorithms such as Shor's and Grover's. The assessment reveals pronounced vulnerabilities, particularly highlighting the high susceptibility of RSA encryption to quantum attacks, emphasizing the urgent need to fortify existing cryptographic systems. The research rigorously evaluates potential countermeasures, with Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) emerging as a promising solution, showcasing superior effectiveness in mitigating vulnerabilities posed by quantum algorithms. The strategic imperative for organizations to transition towards PQC or other post-quantum cryptographic standards is evident, signaling a paradigm shift towards resilient encryption methods resilient to the disruptive capabilities of quantum computing. The research underscores the significance of collaboration among industry stakeholders, continuous research endeavors, and proactive measures in adopting quantum-resistant cryptographic standards to fortify data security strategies against potential quantum threats in an ever-evolving technological landscape.
Abstract Classical computing architectures cannot reasonably solve computationally challenging problems, such as those of RSA public-key encryption, Diffie-Hellman key exchange, and elliptic curve cryptography, which form the cryptographic foundations of modern enterprise information security. Superposition and entanglement phenomena can be used to make quantum computers efficient in solving these problems, which are efficiently solved by Shor's algorithm and Grover's algorithm, and make existing cryptographic infrastructure entirely insecure. While quantum computing is fault-tolerant and still under development, the 'harvest now, decrypt later' threat model by which adversaries can harvest encrypted data now to be decrypted later when they can operate quantum systems signals that the cryptographic threat is present, not future. The objective of this study is to examine the current state of enterprise cryptographic readiness against threats in the quantum era and to create a model for organizational transition to the new cryptographic standards in the quantum era, which is called the Quantum-Resilient Security Architecture (QRSA) Framework. It uses a mixed-methods research methodology, consisting of a systematic literature review, an expert Delphi survey of 38 cybersecurity practitioners from 16 countries, and a qualitative analysis of five enterprise organizations, to examine the state of quantum-capable cryptographic protocols, the readiness of organizations in the technical, governance and capability aspects, and the most important enablers and blockers for the post-quantum migration. The key findings include that: 94 percent of enterprise systems assessed are today still using quantum-vulnerable cryptographic primitives; less than 12 percent of organizations surveyed have started formal planning efforts for quantum migration; and, in most of the cases analyzed, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) post-quantum cryptography standardization process has not made significant impacts on enterprise security roadmaps. The QRSA Framework offers a staged migration architecture based on the NIST standardized algorithms such as CRYSTALS-Kyber, CRYSTALS-Dilithium and SPHINCS+ that integrates with the enterprise security infrastructure. Contributions include cybersecurity governance scholarship, enterprise risk management theory, and information security policy.
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the emerging threat that large-scale quantum computing poses to classical public-key cryptographic systems, particularly RSA and Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC), which form the backbone of contemporary digital security infrastructures. In response to this threat, the study aims to analyze post-quantum cryptography (PQC) as a viable long-term solution capable of resisting both classical and quantum adversaries. The paper further seeks to assess the urgency of PQC adoption in light of the “harvest now, decrypt later” threat model and to evaluate the practical readiness of quantum-safe cryptographic algorithms currently under consideration by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Materials and Methods: This study employs a qualitative and analytical research methodology grounded in an extensive review of authoritative sources, including NIST’s post-quantum cryptography standardization documents, recent academic literature, industry white papers, and policy reports from organizations such as RAND Corporation and Cloudflare. The analysis systematically surveys major families of post-quantum cryptographic algorithms namely lattice-based, code-based, and hash-based schemes and evaluates them based on security assumptions, computational efficiency, implementation complexity, and standardization maturity. Findings: The analysis indicates that Lattice-based cryptographic schemes demonstrate the highest maturity and practical readiness, evidenced by their selection in NIST’s PQC process. Code- and hash-based methods provide strong security but face key size and performance challenges. The lack of scalable quantum computers does not reduce urgency, as data harvesting persists. Artificial intelligence emerges as a key enabler for accelerating PQC adoption. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The paper recommends a proactive, phased post-quantum migration using hybrid cryptographic architectures. Organizations should conduct inventories, benchmarking, and pilot deployments aligned with NIST standards. AI-driven tools are advised to improve key management and reduce complexity. Continued interdisciplinary research and policy support are encouraged to ensure a secure, scalable transition to quantum-resistant security systems.