Quantum Computing in APAC: Innovation’s Promise Meets Cybersecurity Peril

Quantum computing is advancing rapidly in the Asia Pacific region, unlocking vast potential for innovation but also heightening cybersecurity risks. Experts warn that encrypted data today could become tomorrow’s open secret if preparations for quantum threats do not start now.

MALAYSIA, 21 AUGUST 2025 – Quantum computing has moved from theory to reality — and the Asia Pacific (APAC) region is at the forefront of this technological revolution. Countries such as China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan are accelerating development through government backing and early adoption in industries like finance, pharmaceuticals, and tech start-ups.

While quantum computers promise breakthroughs in processing power and security innovation, they also pose serious risks. These machines could one day break today’s encryption methods, exposing sensitive data and threatening global cybersecurity. At the same time, they hold the potential to create new quantum-resistant encryption systems, making preparation a matter of urgency.

“The APAC quantum computing market is surging from USD 392.1 million last year to a projected USD 1.78 billion by 2032, growing at a robust CAGR of 24.2%,” said Sergey Lozhkin, Head of Global Research & Analysis Team for META and APAC at Kaspersky. “Quantum computing is the next cyber frontier — offering groundbreaking opportunities but also unprecedented security threats.”

Lozhkin highlights three immediate risks that demand coordinated global action:

1. Store now, decrypt later: Threat actors are collecting encrypted data today with the intention of decrypting it once quantum capabilities mature, potentially exposing sensitive diplomatic, financial, and private communications years from now.
2. Blockchain and cryptocurrency sabotage: Quantum systems could compromise Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies by forging digital signatures or tampering with blockchain records, undermining trust and security.
3. Quantum-resistant ransomware: Future ransomware may adopt post-quantum cryptography to resist decryption by both classical and quantum computers, making recovery nearly impossible without paying a ransom.

Currently, quantum computers cannot decrypt files locked by today’s ransomware, but experts warn the window to prepare is closing fast. Migrating to post-quantum cryptography and implementing new security standards will take years, requiring immediate collaboration between governments, cybersecurity researchers, and private enterprises.

“The real risk is already here,” Lozhkin added. “Encrypted data with long-term value is being harvested now. By the time quantum machines can break encryption, it will be too late to react. The security decisions we make today will define the resilience of our digital infrastructure for decades.”