ByteSafe’s CTO Raghavan Chellappan offers commentary on creating a secure, private, and safe autonomous future with quantum computing and AI. This article originally appeared in Insight Jam, an enterprise IT community that enables human conversation on AI.

Quantum computing is changing classical architecture, information processing and security frameworks, and offers a path to address key security, privacy, and safety issues in autonomous systems. Emerging technologies such as generative AI (GenAI), 5G expansion and 6G transitions, Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR), Internet of Things (IoT), Blockchain, and Edge Computing, are proliferating at a fast pace, disrupting and revolutionizing whole industries and fundamentally shifting the digital landscape.

Unlike in earlier innovation cycles, these technologies are accelerating and maturing in parallel.  Such an evolutionary pattern coupled with the increasing intersection between the technologies poses significant threats, vulnerability risks, ethical concerns and regulatory challenges to existing applications and growing connected autonomous systems.

Such complexity makes it harder to manage, secure and safeguard the flow of data across distributed environments (cloud, on-premise or hybrid). It’s worth recognizing that quantum technologies can be used in a variety of ways from information processing to data encryption, and if incorrectly implemented, can even facilitate data breaches. As a result, how quantum approaches are used matters.

One-off, non-integrated or silver bullet solutions will not resolve problems as businesses adopt technological advancements. Instead, the solution set should start with a shift in the mindset of how humans engage and collaborate with autonomous systems securely and safely as they adopt and transition into an agentic-driven digital way of life.

In a human-centric approach, users and enterprises go beyond relying on secure, anonymized connections to proactive enhanced data security and protection based on a decentralized, open security framework.

Key Elements in the Transition to Quantum Computing 

Modern architecture embraces greater levels of autonomy to address industry needs for greater productivity. How enterprises design, develop and deploy software applications is changing—moving towards a greater integration of autonomous systems and converging technologies supporting new methods of architectural design. To understand how this works it’s useful to look at the shift from classical to quantum computing.

It is useful to note that regardless of whether they operate in classical or quantum computing environments, autonomous systems need encryption, security, privacy and safety requirements to ensure data are protected.

Architecture and Information Processing

While classical and quantum computing are based on different architectures and process information differently, they also share some common elements.

Classical computing encodes, processes and stores information in bits. A classical bit uses a base 2 numbering system and can only exclusively be in one of two states, as a ‘0’ or ‘1’ akin to flipping a coin (heads = ‘0’ or tails = ‘1’ or vice versa). These two values exist in 2D or two dimensions only and measurements are deterministic in nature.

Classical computers follow sequential operations (i.e., passing one instruction at a time) by applying Boolean algebraic principles—based on binary variables and logical operations (or logical gates)—to process bits (‘0s’ = Off/Fail and ‘1s’ = On/Pass), and manipulate and transform the information depending on a desired calculation (inputs, processing, outputs) and presenting a string of bits as the output.

Interest in “quantum computation” has grown substantially in recent years. Quantum architecture consists of quantum circuits, quantum bits (Qubits), and quantum gates on which all operations are performed. Quantum computing is based on quantum mechanics (including the principles of superposition and entanglement), so even though qubits still rely on “0s” and “1s” a single qubit can be in one of infinitely many superpositions of |0⟩ and |1⟩ states.

Thus, these values can be visualized in “3D” or three dimensions, and quantum qubit measurements are probabilistic in nature rather than deterministic. Quantum computing, with additional layers required to process information, is consequently more complicated compared to classical computing. This complexity in encoding, processing and storing information in qubits makes quantum information more prone to errors, which in turn reduces stability in quantum systems and makes it harder to manipulate compared to classical information.

It’s worth remembering that while qubits are primarily used in processing information, the output still needs to be presented in terms of the binary ‘0s’ and ‘1s’ of classical computing.

Cryptography and Encryption

The cryptographic algorithm (e.g., symmetric or asymmetric) is one of the most basic controls available to protect sensitive information from unauthorized disclosure in many different environments including autonomous systems through encryption. Cryptography uses mathematical algorithms in the transport layer security (TLS) and secure socket shell environments to transform information into a form that’s not readable by unauthorized individuals yet provides authorized individuals with the ability to transform that information back into readable forms again by using a decryption algorithm.

Classical computing uses traditional encryption techniques—such as Rivest-Shamir-Adleman (RSA), Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC), Elliptic-curve Diffie-Hellman (ECDH) algorithm, a key agreement protocol, the Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA), a variant of the Digital Signature Algorithm (DSA) which uses elliptic curve cryptography proposed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and Advanced Encryption Standard (AES)—that rely on complex mathematical computations to secure communications and resist attacks.

Quantum computing relies on Shor’s factorizing algorithm, which is based on modular arithmetic, quantum parallelism, and quantum Fourier transformations, enabling the cracking of large numbers at quicker, exponential paces. Additionally, many of the traditional cryptographic encryption techniques continue to be relevant even with quantum technologies, however they need to be enhanced to work effectively in quantum environments.

Security, Privacy, Protection, and Safety 

Current centralized architectures, infrastructure and data repositories lack transparency in data collection, suffer from distributed processing methods and storage, demonstrate poor management and governance, have limited safety and protection, minimal data privacy protocols, and lax security controls.

The large, centralized data repositories holding an individual’s personal, sensitive and private records, suffering from these key limitations, are therefore prone to cyberattacks and regular breaches. Organizations rely on public-key cryptography to secure their online transactions and communication, and any compromise of these systems (including autonomous) has far-reaching consequences.

Transitioning from classical computing techniques to quantum computing algorithms and adopting AI technologies, including AI agents or Agentic AI solutions, is fundamentally transforming the way in which software/application systems are designed, built, implemented, integrated and operated across the enterprise.

However, the transition (e.g., classical to quantum, changes in software development practices, and use of AI agents) has also opened the doors to high-profile security breaches and data leakages, where large amounts of confidential and sensitive records have been hacked. These hacks occur because emerging technologies like quantum computing, and the use of Agentic AI and multi-agents are also being used to threaten traditional encryption algorithms and methods.

Despite the use of cybersecurity practices, currently used encryption protocols remain vulnerable to quantum attacks thereby elevating risk, compromising confidentiality and integrity of sensitive information systems, and reducing data privacy, protection, and security.

The impact of emerging technologies is not limited to encryption algorithms but also affects data protection and privacy. While data anonymization and pseudonymization techniques which mask certain pieces of data can provide some level of safety and protection against classical attacks, these techniques may be insufficient against quantum attacks.

Thus, there is an urgent need for post-quantum encryption methods and quantum-resistant cryptography to protect existing systems, as we build and migrate to NextGen autonomous systems.

How to Secure and Protect Data in an Autonomous Future

Data security is fundamental to trusting autonomous systems. The current networking infrastructure has significant security vulnerabilities that have remained unresolved for many years. Quantum computing offers the potential to advance security which is critical for autonomous systems. The development of quantum-resistant cryptography and secure multi-party computation protocols requires significant advances in theoretical computer science and mathematics.

Decentralization

Addressing challenges that come with the ubiquitous use of advanced computing technologies requires a strategic shift away from centralized architecture control models used today—like the border gateway protocol (BGP), the standard interdomain routing protocol used, and the public key infrastructure (PKI), a common security protocol—to an open security architecture which is more comprehensive, operates independently of external authority and is decentralized with governance guardrails embedded to enable speed, reuse, and control.

Decentralization is key to the adoption of quantum computing, AI technology and cryptography because it improves user trust, security, and transparency. With decentralized quantum computing decision making and security control is distributed across the enterprise system, allowing the organization to build resistance to censorship, eliminate single points of failure, enable secure and efficient communication, and minimize data manipulation because no one system entity has exclusive control over it.

A decentralized security framework that modifies the current underlying business processes and architecture and uses encryption, anonymization and tokenization techniques underpinned by standards, offers a viable solution that prioritizes software and system-level optimizations.

Unified Approach to Security

In a quantum environment, classical encryption methods, particularly those based on public-key cryptography, do not fully secure information even when using modern digital security frameworks based on cryptographic protocols. Quantum-resistant protocols with quantum key distribution are required to circumvent breaches and securely transmit sensitive data. For example, cryptographic techniques, like lattice-based cryptography and secure multi-party computation protocols are capable of resisting quantum attacks.

While quantum-resistant protocols offer viable solutions and techniques like lattice-based cryptography offers many advantages, there are several challenges associated with implementing these technologies. One of the main challenges is the need for high-performance computing resources to solve lattice problems efficiently.

Another challenge is the lack of standardization and interoperability between different lattice-based cryptographic systems. Overall, further development is needed especially in the areas of data anonymization and tokenization in autonomous systems to ensure these new solutions operate well to secure and protect data.

To future-proof data security a proactive cybersecurity mindset and unified systemic approach are key in detecting and suppressing the propagation of attacks. What is required is a solution that automates workflows, enhances visibility, protection, and compliance and simplifies security by providing a clear view of data security and overall risk.

Such a solution is seen in the Integrated Decentralized Security Framework (IDSF) which can help organizations identify, assess, and manage data security risks across multiple and distributed environments based on elements like:

Elements of an Integrated Decentralized Security Framework (IDSF)

• Embracing a human-centered process-oriented approach that both harmonizes and enhances trust.
• Continuous monitoring and improving data security operations.
• Implementing strong encryption, masking, and tokenization to protect data at rest and in motion.
• Establishing a quantum/post-quantum ready foundation to protect data against AI and quantum computer powered threats.
• Ensuring compliance with strict international data protection regulations, privacy laws, and compliance frameworks (GDPR, CCPA, PCI, HIPAA).
• Promoting policy-driven data governance.
• Classifying and categorizing data based on sensitivity and business value, while assessing risks.
• Applying data protection, including encryption, and secure the metadata
• Building quantum/post-quantum ready controls to counter future AI and quantum-powered threats.
• Exploring and implementing advanced modern cryptographic techniques and algorithms such as crypto-agility and perfect secrecy that offer a reactive and proactive approaches respectively to secure information and data in computer systems.

These solutions aim to protect data in a quantum world where AI systems reflect the data on which they are trained, and classical encryption algorithms may no longer be secure. There are several new techniques that are in the developmental phase for securing and protecting data in a quantum world. Adopting a decentralized unified framework pivots away from the centralized models and shifts towards user-centric systems that empower individuals to maintain control over their personal data and take back ownership of information.

A decentralized unified framework extends traditional security, by emphasizing a proactive, comprehensive, and adaptive approach based on core security principles to identify new threats, improve capabilities, and manage emergent risks.

Leveraging Strengths of Quantum and Classical Computing

Quantum computing, with its ability to process vast amounts of information simultaneously, is both process and resource intensive. Qubits in particular are sensitive and face significant obstacles in terms of reliability and scalability. Until the technical challenges inherent in this as yet nascent technology are resolved, it would benefit businesses to implement a hybrid computing model where most enterprises leverage the strong suits of each and split tasks between classical and quantum machines.

Classical computers can handle most mundane tasks/operations through classical algorithms allowing the more complex and highly specialized functions to be delegated to a shared quantum computing infrastructure.

Instead of developing separate security solutions for classical, quantum, and AI-driven systems, given the convergence of all three in this current transition period, it would be beneficial to blend classical, quantum and AI techniques to develop unified approaches to security and protection that leverage the strengths of each computing method while minimizing their weaknesses.

To be prepared to lead in the quantum world and set the stage for a post-quantum era, enterprises must work to bridge the gap to a quantum-enabled future. Over time, businesses should transition to quantum computing as needed for relevant complex functions while continuing to leverage their existing classical computing assets.

Final Thoughts

Data security is in a state of transformation and the future lies in the combination of powerful technologies like quantum computers and artificial intelligence (AI) to create value for organizations. The combination of AI and quantum technology involves the convergence of machine learning (M/L), quantum algorithms and quantum computing to create new solutions.

Businesses must decide what proportion of their enterprise relies on classical vs quantum computing and how to integrate AI technologies into their functions and choose to expand their quantum capabilities accordingly while prioritizing security, privacy, protection and safety.

The proposed integrated decentralized security framework (IDSF) enhancements would provide safer and more secure environments, but still require further research and development, in order to make autonomous systems immune to interception and to enhance their security. Furthermore, a unified decentralized ecosystem approach minimizes the risk of data privacy and security losses and allows the individual to retain greater control over their information.