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Abstract

The rapid advancement of quantum computing poses unprecedented threats to classical cryptographic systems, jeopardizing the security of digital infrastructures worldwide. This review paper comprehensively examines the transformative impact of quantum computing on cybersecurity, highlighting vulnerabilities introduced by algorithms like Shor’s and Grover’s, which can break widely used encryption methods such as RSA, ECC, and AES. It underscores the urgency of adopting quantum-resistant solutions, including post-quantum cryptography (PQC) and quantum key distribution (QKD), to mitigate these risks. The paper also explores emerging hybrid systems, quantum-safe blockchain, and IoT security, offering actionable insights for transitioning to quantum-resilient frameworks. By synthesizing interdisciplinary research, this work emphasizes the need for global collaboration, standardization, and innovation to safeguard data integrity and privacy in the impending quantum era, making it a pivotal resource for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers.

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Introduction

Quantum computing represents a paradigm shift in computational science, leveraging the principles of quantum mechanics—such as superposition and entanglement to solve problems that are computationally infeasible for classical systems [1], [2], [3], [4]. This emerging technology introduces fundamentally new ways of processing information, enabling certain algorithms to outperform their classical counterparts by orders of magnitude.