Understanding the Impact of Quantum Computing and AI on Cybersecurity
By Rob Foxx
The topics of quantum computing and AI are often new and confusing—and unfortunately, they haven’t been well explained to many people. However, these technologies are already changing the ways in which attackers gain access to systems and data.
According to a recent report by Mimecast, 95% of breaches are caused by human error. This staggering figure highlights the critical importance of training your staff as a core part of any cybersecurity strategy. These errors typically occur because someone or something appeared legitimate enough to prompt user action. This allows attackers to bypass most traditional security controls, since the malicious action is performed by an authorized user. As technology continues to evolve, we can expect human error to play an even greater role in future breaches.
How Quantum Computing Changes the Game
Before diving into its implications, it’s important to define what quantum computing actually is. Traditional computers use binary logic, representing data as either a 1 or a 0. In contrast, quantum computers leverage qubits, which can represent 1 and 0 simultaneously through a principle called superposition. This allows quantum computers to evaluate many possibilities at once, significantly accelerating complex computations.
While quantum computing demands more power and specialized hardware, its speed poses a serious threat to current cybersecurity defenses. For example, tasks like reversing a hash (e.g., an encrypted password) — which would take traditional computers days, weeks, or even years — can potentially be performed in a fraction of the time using quantum technology.
Quantum computing can also enable more sophisticated malware, especially under ransomware-as-a-service models, and may dramatically accelerate the discovery of zero-day vulnerabilities — making patching and proactive defense more critical than ever.
The Role of AI in Evolving Threats
Artificial Intelligence, at this point, should be a familiar concept. AI consumes vast amounts of data, analyzes it, and uses that as a foundation to learn, reason, and solve problems. While it’s far from perfect, AI has become a powerful tool — especially for bad actors.
Cybercriminals are now using AI to improve their research, enhance targeted phishing, and execute more convincing social engineering attacks. With access to better, more personalized data than ever before, AI-generated threats can appear highly authentic — even to seasoned users.
Additionally, AI can be used to create ransomware faster, with greater effectiveness, and with less technical skill required than in the past. These advantages make AI an indispensable tool for attackers — and a growing concern for defenders.
What You Can Do
The most important thing you can do today is educate your team and ensure you have access to cybersecurity experts who can help manage these risks. Strong security practices are more critical than ever, including:
• Longer passwords, as recommended by National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
• Multi-factor authentication (MFA) for system access
• Continuous logging and review of activity within your environment
In addition, legacy tools are no longer sufficient on their own. Many environments now require upgraded solutions, such as:
• Next-generation antivirus (NGAV)
• Managed Detection and Response (MDR) services from providers like Cynet 360, CrowdStrike, and SentinelOne
These solutions can analyze logs, detect threats, and issue alerts far more quickly than human analysts ever could. They typically cover:
• User behavior analytics
• System and process monitoring
• Network traffic inspection
• File and endpoint analysis
Most importantly, these tools are also AI-powered, allowing them to defend against AI-driven attacks using similar technology. In the rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape, staying ahead means adopting the same tools and techniques your adversaries are using — and doing it before they do.
Foxx is director – infosec and IT audit services for FIPCO, a WBA Gold Associate Member.
