Powered by: CIONET and Orange Business

Quantum Technology: From Futuristic Concept to Urgent Business Strategy

During an insightful CIONET Dinner with Orange Business, decision-makers from the financial, energy services, and logistics sectors came together to explore the impact of quantum technology. The era of “someday” is over: quantum technology is approaching at lightning speed and is on the verge of fundamentally transforming how we secure business data and safeguard trust.

Why has quantum technology suddenly become so important for companies?
According to Bill Gates, usable quantum computers are no longer a distant vision. They could become reality within three to five years. Beyond the wide range of powerful applications, sufficiently strong quantum computers can also be used to break encryption. For CIOs, this means that what is secure today could easily be public tomorrow. Core aspects of business operations—data security, customer trust, and operational continuity—are at stake.

The quantum clock is ticking: risks and opportunities
Recent publications and market analyses indicate that traditional encryption could become unsafe before 2029. This means that sensitive data stolen today in encrypted form (“store now, decrypt later”) could be decrypted in the future by actors with sufficiently powerful quantum computers. Major cloud providers are already offering access to quantum capabilities, introducing new attack vectors and reshaping the landscape. Organizations that do not begin moving toward quantum-safe cryptography now risk not only technical vulnerabilities but also potential reputational damage and legal consequences.

Where to start as an organization? Practical recommendations:

- Map your data landscape and determine which data is important enough to protect properly.

- Create a crypto registry to track how each type of data is secured.

- Make data lifetime a guiding principle in your security approach.

- Upgrade your encryption in time, even if solutions are not yet fully scalable.

- Ensure crypto-agility: an architecture that can quickly adapt to new encryption standards.

- Start conversations with peers and experts now to exchange strategies and best practices.

Geopolitics & digital sovereignty also matter
It’s not only technology that plays a role, geopolitics is equally important. China is leading in quantum innovation, while differences between the EU, US, and China require strategic choices around data and governance. Companies must anticipate regulatory and international developments.

Why act now?
Participants emphasized that quantum computing is no longer a “far-off” topic. It’s a technology that will affect every company, regardless of industry or size. By exploring quantum-safe solutions now and future-proofing the security strategy, every organization can face the coming years with confidence.

Discussion point:
Where does your organization stand on a scale of 1–5 when it comes to quantum—has it already become a strategic topic? And what are your first steps toward becoming a quantum-safe enterprise?

By making proactive choices, in governance, technology, and collaboration, you strengthen your organization for what is inevitably coming: the quantum transition.

Interested in sparring or exchanging experiences? Put quantum computing on the agenda at your next board meeting or CIO discussion!