Why Post-Quantum Cryptography Should Be on Everyone’s Radar*

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At Athyna, we empower forward-thinking organizations with elite global talent and expert guidance in cutting-edge technology domains, from AI and data science to cybersecurity and quantum computing. Our deep industry insight and network of top-tier professionals uniquely position us to help businesses stay ahead of emerging threats and innovations.

Why does this matter? Protecting sensitive information requires not just the latest tools but the best minds. For companies navigating the quantum future, having the right expertise on your team is as critical as adopting new cryptographic standards.

From the Turing machine to ChatGPT, computing has come a long way. But with every leap forward, we’ve also had to rethink how we protect the information zipping across our networks. And now—with quantum computing knocking on the door—we’re approaching one of those moments again.

Right now, most digital communication is protected through encryption. It works by using math that current computers (even the best ones) can’t easily solve. But quantum computers don’t play by the same rules—and that’s exactly why it’s time to talk about Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC).

A Quick Recap: What Even Is Cryptography?

At its core, cryptography is about keeping information secret. And while it has ancient roots (Julius Caesar famously used a simple letter shift to protect his battle strategies), modern cryptography is way more complex.

Today, we rely on two main methods:

Symmetric encryption — Both sender and receiver use the same private key to lock and unlock the message.

Asymmetric encryption — One public key to encrypt, one private key to decrypt. This is the backbone of most online communication today.

But all of this relies on the assumption that certain math problems—like factoring huge numbers—are too hard to solve. That’s where quantum computers come in to ruin the party.

The Quantum Threat Is Not Hypothetical Anymore

Quantum computers can process information in fundamentally different ways. They don’t just test one solution at a time—they can explore many possibilities at once using something called Grover’s algorithm. That means they could crack encryption methods that would take classical supercomputers trillions of years... in a matter of minutes.

For context:

• A 128-bit key has over 300 undecillion (3 followed by 38 zeros) possible combinations.

• A traditional computer couldn’t brute-force that in the lifespan of the universe.

• But a quantum computer? Suddenly, it’s not so impossible.

How Close Are We to Quantum Reality?

Pretty close.

• December 2024: Google unveiled “Willow,” a quantum processor that completed a benchmark calculation in under 5 minutes—a task that would take a classical supercomputer 10 septillion years.

• Amazon and Microsoft are racing ahead with their own quantum R&D.

• China has developed a 176-qubit processor.

• India is investing through its National Quantum Mission.

Quantum supremacy isn’t science fiction anymore—it’s a matter of engineering timelines.

So, What Is Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC)?

Post-Quantum Cryptography refers to new encryption methods that can resist attacks from quantum computers. The goal? Future-proof security—even before those threats fully materialize.

What makes it work?

• Lattice-based cryptography

Uses multi-dimensional geometric structures—kind of like building walls in hyperspace.

• Code-based encryption

Built on the difficulty of decoding linear codes.

• Multivariate polynomial systems

Tricky math problems that even quantum computers struggle with.

• Hash-based cryptography

Secures digital signatures with complex hash functions. None of these require a quantum computer to run—but they’re designed to withstand one.

Why Act Now, If Quantum Computers Aren’t Fully Ready?

Two words: Harvest Now. Decrypt Later.

That’s the name of the game for threat actors today. They’re collecting encrypted data now—bank records, government intel, personal information—so they can decrypt it later when quantum machines are ready.

This isn’t just about tomorrow’s threat. It’s about protecting the data you’re storing today.

Final Thoughts

Quantum computing is no longer science fiction—it’s rapidly becoming a business reality. While we’re still in the early innings, breakthroughs from companies like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft are changing how organizations must think about cybersecurity, infrastructure, and future-proofing their teams.

At Athyna, we help companies navigate this shift—connecting you with top-tier global talent across Latin America, from AI engineers and data scientists to product leads and growth marketers who are ready to build what’s next.

You don’t need to hire a quantum cryptographer tomorrow. But assembling a team that’s agile, global, and built for the future? That starts today.

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Sponsored by Athyna. We have equity in the company.

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