The article explains the concept of “Q Day,” the moment when powerful quantum computers could break much of today’s encryption, potentially exposing everything from financial data to government secrets. While that scenario is still likely years away, experts warn that encrypted information can be stolen now and decrypted later once quantum technology matures. The piece outlines how current public key cryptography underpins the internet, banking, and secure communications, making the stakes extremely high. Governments and companies are already racing to develop and adopt quantum resistant encryption standards, but progress is uneven and slow. The article argues that the real danger is not sudden collapse but complacency, as the transition to safer cryptography will take time and requires urgent planning.
