Context: NITI Aayog has recently highlighted that countries with Quantum capabilities secure an unprecedented strategic edge over other countries, which can jeopardise National Security, Economic Competitiveness and Technological Leadership.
Relevance of the Topic: Mains: Risks posed by Quantum Technology.
Key Risks Highlighted by NITI Aayog
- Security Threats: Quantum Computers can break public-key encryption algorithms. This poses a significant threat to the security and privacy of sensitive data/ confidential data, including:
- Sensitive government information
- Military Technology
- Financial Data
- Medical Records
- Intellectual Property and Trade Secrets
- Communications and Social Media
- Fund Constraints: Indian quantum computing R&D Ecosystem struggles with funds for product development and scaling due to low venture capital investment.
- India’s Rs 6,000 crore translates to about USD 0.75 billion over five years.
- This is very less compared to China (USD 15 billion), United Kingdom (USD 4.3 billion), the United States (USD 3.75 billion), Germany (USD 3.3 billion) etc.
- Supply-Chain Vulnerabilities:
- India relies primarily on import of technological components required for quantum computing, like Arbitrary Waveform Generators (AWGs), Digital-to-Analog Converters (DACs), Microwave Components, specialised lasers, and cryogenic dilution refrigerators.
- As quantum technologies become critical to national security, export restrictions are tightening on such key technologies.
- Increase Disparity: Development and adoption of quantum technology requires enormous investment and resources. This may exacerbate the already existing economic, technological and security divide between developed and developing/ underdeveloped nations.
Post-Quantum Cryptography
- To mitigate risks to National Security from quantum technologies, India needs to develop a post-quantum cryptography (PQC) transition plan.
- PQC refers to the development of cryptographic algorithms (for classical computers) to enable classical computers to withstand potential attacks from quantum computers, and thus ensure improved data security.
Also Read: India’s Quantum Future
India needs to assess vulnerabilities and adopt post-quantum cryptography and forge bilateral partnerships for technology access. India plans to invest $750 million (Rs 6,003 crore) in developing quantum technology, through the National Quantum Mission (NQM) launched in 2023.