Cyberattacks on critical infrastructure like government departments and hospitals are increasingly likely due to a connected world with inadequate security. Eva Rudin, senior vice president at Thales, states, "As we multiply the endpoints, the connectivity points, we increase the threat surface."
Artificial intelligence (AI) is intensifying the challenge, enabling attackers to exploit vulnerabilities at unprecedented speeds. Thales counters this by deploying machine learning to enhance its security solutions, framing it as an "AI versus AI" contest.
Connected devices in homes also pose risks, with many lacking robust cybersecurity. Rudin emphasizes regulation as the remedy, pointing to Europe's Cyber Resilience Act, set to mandate security requirements for connected devices.
The most urgent, though less visible, threat is the "quantum clock" - the future advent of quantum computers powerful enough to break current encryption systems. This poses a significant risk to online communications, bank accounts, and vital infrastructure. Thales stresses the need to embed quantum-safe security now, as critical infrastructure has long operational lifespans.
Sophisticated actors are already employing a "harvest now, decrypt later" technique, intercepting and stockpiling encrypted data for future decryption by quantum machines. This puts defense secrets, governmental communications, and personal data at risk.
Thales has demonstrated the ability to remotely upgrade security on existing SIM and eSIM cards with quantum-resistant algorithms through "crypto agility." The company is actively developing quantum-safe cryptography and contributing to next-generation algorithms, urging the industry to protect data today before the quantum threat fully materializes.