Google Warns Q-Day Now Coming in 2029

Google has issued a new warning urging companies that they should now prepare for Q-Day in 2029:

As a pioneer in both quantum and PQC, it’s our responsibility to lead by example and share an ambitious timeline. By doing this, we hope to provide the clarity and urgency needed to accelerate digital transitions not only for Google, but also across the industry.

Quantum computers will pose a significant threat to current cryptographic standards, and specifically to encryption and digital signatures. The threat to encryption is relevant today with store-now-decrypt-later attacks, while digital signatures are a future threat that require the transition to PQC prior to a Cryptographically Relevant Quantum Computer (CRQC). That’s why we’ve adjusted our threat model to prioritize PQC migration for authentication services — an important component of online security and digital signature migrations. We recommend that other engineering teams follow suit.

The full statement can be found here: https://blog.google/innovation-and-ai/technology/safety-security/cryptography-migration-timeline/

Lieutenant General Ross Coffman (U.S. Army, Ret.) who currently serves as President of Forward Edge-AI, provided the following comment:

“I am elated by Google’s announcement. We’ve been saying it for two years. The shock clock has started. We don’t know when, but we know Q-Day is coming. It’s time to get ready.” 

This is a real threat that organizations need to prepare for. And preparations need to begin today because 2029 seems like a long time. But it isn’t/

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