The G7 is urging governments and businesses to prepare now for quantum-enabled cyberattacks, warning that the migration may take years and that sensitive data is already at risk.
In a new report, the cybersecurity working group of the Group of Seven described quantum computing as a security and economic threat to public and private organizations, not only to operators of critical infrastructure. The G7 includes Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
G7 says advances in quantum computing could break widely used cryptography
「Although the exact timeline is uncertain, several recent advances suggest an anticipation of the development of quantum computers able to break widely used public-key cryptography mechanisms and threaten the security of digital infrastructures,」 the group wrote.
The working group called on organizations to adopt post-quantum cryptography, or PQC, as protection against both classical and quantum attacks. Without that shift, data stolen and stored today could later be decrypted by a sufficiently powerful quantum computer. The report also said digital signatures could be broken, opening the door to impersonation and exposing companies and their supply chains.
It added: 「We acknowledge that transitioning to PQC is not a problem for individual organizations to solve in isolation, but rather a collective transition that can only be achieved with early engagement, coordinated planning, and informed decision-making across the public and private sectors.」
The report does not name crypto, but the underlying cryptography overlaps
The report does not refer to cryptocurrency directly. Even so, the same class of public-key cryptography is used to secure blockchain wallets and authorize transactions.
Current quantum computers cannot break Bitcoin’s cryptography. Even so, developers are considering post-quantum proposals including BIP-360, which would prepare the network to support new signature schemes.
Bitcoin faces a governance-heavy migration challenge
Bitcoin’s governance structure makes any transition harder. A major security change would need broad backing from developers, miners, businesses, and users. Bitcoin holders would also need a way to move funds from vulnerable addresses without disrupting the network.
Ethereum and Solana are exploring different paths
Ethereum researchers are planning replacements for several cryptographic components used by accounts, validators, and applications. One recent proposal would rebuild Ethereum’s deposit contract so it can support the larger keys required by post-quantum systems.
Researchers have said Solana may have a simpler migration path because it uses EdDSA signatures. The Solana Foundation has tested post-quantum signatures on a test network and introduced an optional hash-based vault to protect funds.
G7 calls for national PQC strategies and procurement changes
The G7 Cybersecurity Working Group urged governments to support research, public-private partnerships, and national PQC strategies. It also called for quantum security requirements to be added to procurement rules.
The group advised organizations to identify critical systems and adopt quantum-safe products during scheduled upgrades as a way to contain costs.
It closed with this warning: 「To strengthen collective resilience and safeguard confidential data, supply chains, and critical systems, public and private organizations must jointly act now. The transition to PQC is the key foundation to help build a secure and resilient digital future.」