The day quantum computers break the internet - New Scientist

Experts warn that "Q-Day"—when quantum computers crack today’s encryption—could arrive sooner than expected, exposing financial transactions, private messages, and state secrets. Once theoretical, accelerating research suggests this security collapse may be imminent. Quantum computers exploit qubits to perform calculations exponentially faster than classical machines, enabling them to break widely used encryption like RSA and ECC. Their power threatens global digital infrastructure, from banking to military communications. The countdown may have already begun, with advancements in error correction and qubit stability reducing previous decade-long timelines. Governments and corporations are racing to prepare post-quantum cryptography standards. Beyond risks, quantum computing promises breakthroughs in drug discovery, climate modeling, and AI. The same technology that could disrupt security might also revolutionize science and industry. Leading labs, including Quantum Motion, demonstrate rapid progress, filming their work to highlight both the urgency of Q-Day and the transformative potential of quantum advancements.