The quantum revolution accelerates the countdown to a new global cybersecurity model

The Horizontes conference series, organized by Ayesa’s Innovation Department in collaboration with the Royal Academy of Sciences of Seville, launched its second edition with a focus on one of the 21st century’s greatest technological challenges: Post-Quantum Cryptography. Representatives from IBM, AWS, Marsh, and other leading institutions shared a clear message — the time to begin digital transformation is now.

The arrival of quantum computing is no longer science fiction, but a rapidly approaching reality. This was the central conclusion drawn by experts at the inaugural session of the Horizontes series, titled The Quantum Era and the Cybersecurity of the Future. The event brought together leaders from the technology and institutional sectors, who agreed on a common concern: current data systems will not withstand the quantum leap without major upgrades.

_{Miguel Ángel de la Rosa, President of RASC}

Experts from IBM and AWS, along with organizations such as the Basque Government and Marsh, emphasized that the transition toward Post-Quantum Cryptography cannot be delayed.

“The migration of cryptographic algorithms has been underway for nearly a decade. It’s not something that can be solved overnight”, explained Iván Cantero, Specialist in IBM’s Quantum Safe initiative.

Cantero also noted that the public sector is advancing slowly in this field, with a few notable exceptions such as the Basque Government, which is already leveraging a 156-qubit quantum computer.

Jesús Rodríguez, Cloud Security expert from AWS, warned that the advent of quantum computing broadens the threat landscape: “It´s no longer just about data theft. We´re now facing the potential destabilization of companies and even governments. We need to act today”.

_{Round table moderated by Álvaro Fraile, Director of Cybersecurity Services Global Group, Ayesa; and Íñigo Pérez, Head of Quantum Area, Ayesa; together with the rest of the participants in the conference}

In this emerging context, referred to s crypotagility, experts identified cryptographic governance and risk heat maps as essential components of a roadmap that should begin with a detailed cryptographic inventory for each company and organization.

The insurance sector also contributed its perspective. Jacobo López, from Marsh, acknowledged that current policies still do nott explicitly address the risks posed by quantum technology. “We’re seeing the same pattern as with ransomware or artificial intelligence — innovation is always one step ahead of legal protection”.

From an institutional standpoint, Javier Aizpura of Basque Quantum underscored the importance of strengthening collaboration between the public and private sectors to prevent Europe from falling behind global players like the United States or China in this new technological race.

_{From left to right: Jesús Rodríguez, senior cloud security specialist for Spain, Portugal, and Italy at AWS; Itziar Cuenca, R&D Director at Ayesa; Javier Aizpurua, Scientific Director at Basque Quantum; Laura Arranz, Communications and Marketing Director Global Group Ayesa; Miguel Ángel de la Rosa, President of the Royal Seville Academy of Science; Juan de Dios Hermosín, Director of Innovation at Ayesa; Íñigo Pérez, Head of Quantum at Ayesa; Jacobo López, Growth Leader and Cybersecurity and Technology Specialist at Marsh; Álvaro Fraile, Director of Cybersecurity Services Global Group at Ayesa; and Iván Cantero, Quantum Safe Leader at IBM.}

The Horizontes series will continue in the coming months with three additional sessions devoted to decisive challenges shaping the future of engineering and technology: Fusion Energy, Digital Twins, and AI Applied to Health.

Through this initiative, Ayesa and the Royal Academy of Sciences of Seville reaffirm their commitment to scientific outreach and strategic reflection on the role innovation will play in the decade ahead, a decade that will demand foresight and readiness for the moment when quantum computing is no longer a promise, but a tangible reality.