The imminent impact of quantum computing will be explored at the 20th annual ITWeb Security Summit in Johannesburg and Cape Town.
Qubits, entanglement, superposition… Understanding the principles and possible impact of quantum computing can be overwhelming even for the technically minded. And while its real-life usage may be a decade away, it’s cybersecurity that faces an immediate risk— quantum computers will break today’s encryption standards.
But is it too early to worry about this? That’s one of the critical questions to be addressed at the 20th annual ITWeb Security Summit , to be held on 3 June at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.
Nerushka Bowan, founder of the LITT Institute and a technology and privacy lawyer, will deliver a keynote unpacking the implications of quantum computing for encryption, digital trust, and organisational risk. Her talk, “Quantum Computing and Cybersecurity: Is it Too Early to Worry About It?”, will demystify quantum principles like qubits, superposition, and entanglement, and explain how these could supercharge computing power – and simultaneously cripple today’s cybersecurity frameworks.
Quantum computing leverages the principles of quantum mechanics for processing power, Bowan explains. While traditional computing is based on binary bits, a quantum bit or qubit uses the quantum mechanical phenomenon of superposition to achieve a combination of two states – which allows quantum algorithms to process information in a fraction of the time it would take even the fastest classical systems to solve certain problems.
“What would take a classical computer 10 million years to crack might take a quantum computer minutes,” Bowan warns. “This is not science fiction anymore.” With companies like Google and Microsoft making strides—e.g., Google’s Willow quantum processor—quantum computing is fast becoming a reality, she adds.
The urgency of quantum readiness
Bowan warns about the “store now, decrypt later” risk – encrypted data is already being collected and stored by malicious actors, with the intent to decrypt it in the future once quantum computers are able to break current encryption methods.
“This threat is already happening and cannot be reversed. That is why we have to start now taking steps to do things differently,” she urges.
In her keynote, Bowan will:
- Outline the new post-quantum cryptography (PQC) standards published by NIST.
- Explain why quantum readiness is crucial.
- Offer practical steps organisations can take to begin their post-quantum encryption journey.
“With NIST having already released three post-quantum encryption standards, companies can begin aligning their systems now,” Bowan says, “But, transitioning to new cryptographic standards isn’t as simple as flipping a switch.”
That’s why organisations, and their CISOs, should start planning their post-quantum roadmap immediately. This requires assessing the quantum threat to their specific environment, prioritising which data to transition first, and understanding where and how that data is stored and protected.
She also emphasises the need to evaluate current skill sets, consider upskilling or hiring, and develop a roadmap for the next 5–10 years.
Real-world use cases
Beyond cybersecurity, Bowan encourages organisations to also explore quantum’s innovation potential and consider opportunities for R&D or competitive advantage as the technology matures.
During the ITWeb Security Summit quantum’s potential use cases across various sectors will be highlighted:
- Finance – Quantum algorithms can optimise trading, risk analysis, and portfolio management, while enhancing fraud detection.
- Healthcare – Combined with AI, quantum can accelerate drug development and enable personalised medicine.
- AI & machine learning – Quantum-enhanced models could process data exponentially faster, improving everything from simulations to predictions.
- Simulations – Accurate modelling of financial systems, infrastructure, and physical phenomena at scale.
- Careers and skills development – Demand for quantum-literate professionals will surge.
The 7th annual ITWeb Security Summit in Cape Town (27–28 May) and 20th annual ITWeb Security Summit in Johannesburg (3–5 June) will bring together over 60 international, African, and local experts to explore how to build cyber resilience in an AI-driven world.
The summit will unpack all the latest cyber security developments, the methods that attackers are using and best practices in how companies are protecting their digital assets from evolving threats.
With an exhibition of the latest cyber security solution being staged alongside the conference, the summit is also an opportunity to learn about the latest solutions to mitigate cyber security risks in the face of a constantly shifting threat environment.
To find out more and explore detailed ITWeb Security Summit agendas, and to book your seat go to:
Security Summit Johannesburg
Sandton Convention Centre
Conference & Exhibition: 3–4 June 2025
Workshops: 5 June 2025
Security Summit Cape Town
CTICC
Workshops: 27 May 2025
Conference & Exhibition: 28 May 2025
Featured picture: Nerushka Bowan, founder of the LITT Institute and a technology and privacy lawyer, will deliver a keynote at the upcoming ITWeb Security Summit in Johannesburg, unpacking the implications of quantum computing for encryption, digital trust, and organisational risk. Her talk, “Quantum Computing and Cybersecurity: Is it Too Early to Worry About It?”, will demystify quantum principles like qubits, superposition, and entanglement, and explain how these could supercharge computing power – and simultaneously cripple today’s cybersecurity frameworks.