New Delhi: India took a major step towards strengthening its cyber defences in the age of quantum computing with the launch of a new whitepaper titled Transitioning to Quantum Cyber Readiness. Released by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), and cybersecurity firm SISA, the whitepaper provides a framework for organisations to prepare for the security risks posed by quantum technologies.
Launched in New Delhi, the whitepaper calls on both public and private sector organisations, especially those operating in strategic sectors, to begin identifying vulnerable areas, including national security infrastructure and systems handling critical financial and public data. It offers guidance on migrating from traditional cryptographic protocols like RSA and ECC, which are likely to be rendered ineffective by quantum advances, towards quantum-resistant algorithms.
“Quantum readiness is a strategic imperative as we prepare for the disruptive potential of quantum technologies especially in cybersecurity. As we go through the digital, AI and quantum transformations across sectors, the need is to start building resilience in the ICT infrastructures well in time with clarity and agility. This white paper provides the right ingredients for the same,” said S Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY.
CERT-In Director General Sanjay Bahl highlighted the importance of joint public-private action. “CERT-In recognizes that quantum computing will fundamentally change the threat landscape. We must evolve our security frameworks today to protect India's expanding digital infrastructure tomorrow. This partnership with SISA demonstrates the importance of public private collaboration between private-sector innovation and governments strategic initiatives. We welcome such partnerships to build national preparedness.”
SISA’s CEO and Founder Dharshan Shanthamurthy emphasised the need for urgency. “Quantum computing represents the single greatest shift in cybersecurity in over three decades. What we are dealing with is not just a faster computer but a complete redefinition of computational boundaries. The systems that we built our digital trust on are vulnerable by design in the quantum context. This is especially critical for countries like India that have leapfrogged into digital-first economies. Our skills combined with CERT-In’s strategic approach to proactive cybersecurity and incident response capabilities offers a holistic strategy for safeguarding the future of India’s digital ecosystem. At SISA, we are bringing forensic depth, real-world visibility, and future-proof cryptographic strategies to help enterprises build resilience where it matters most - at the data layer.”
Designed with the specific needs of sectors like BFSI, healthcare, and government in mind, the whitepaper combines technical recommendations with a call to build a culture of proactive, forward-looking security across India’s digital economy.
BI Bureau
