Some widely used cybersecurity protocols leverage computational problems that are thought to be practically impossible to solve by any reasonable conventional means in any meaningful period of time. However, such problems may become solvable by quantum computers, with potentially catastrophic consequences for cybersecurity.
One factor that determines the urgency to act to mitigate such a risk is how much time is left before a cryptographically relevant quantum computer becomes available. So, how is quantum computing research progressing?
In this new Global Risk Institute report, we have collected and analyzed up-to-date estimates and opinions of forty leading experts from four continents, both from academia and industry, shedding light on the quantum threat timeline. The report also provides information, expert opinions, and expert estimates on key milestones of quantum computing research that risk managers should monitor to keep track of the increasing quantum risk.