OQC Expects Quantum Computing Breakthrough in Cybersecurity by 2028–2031
OQC CEO Gerald Mallally believes that by 2028–2031, quantum systems will surpass classical ones in specific cybersecurity tasks, including anomaly detection.
Mallally stated that some of the first applications of quantum computing will be network vulnerability analysis and threat detection. In the financial sector, the technology could be used to detect fraud and money laundering operations.
Quantum computers operate using qubits, which can exist in a state of 0, 1, or a combination of both. This allows them to process more complex data relationships than classical systems, though qubits are sensitive to temperature fluctuations and atmospheric pressure. Their operation typically requires expensive isolation chambers.
According to the OQC head, quantum systems will be able to identify anomalous behavior patterns and data connections that are difficult to detect with classical computing. In encryption, they may also provide businesses with a tool to preempt threats if the technology's power allows it to overcome existing protection methods.
Currently, quantum algorithms, as Mallally noted, usually perform a thousand steps before errors disrupt calculations. In the near future, this figure could increase to a million. He expects that by 2028–2031, quantum computing will surpass classical computing in narrow tasks, including anomaly detection.
In June, OQC conducted Europe's largest Series C funding round for a quantum computing company, raising £260 million ($345 million). The company is already using applications to improve data center efficiency. Among the organizations developing quantum divisions, the source names IBM, Google, and Microsoft, while OQC links the next stage of industry development to commercial scenarios with clear returns on investment.
