Philippine businesses face quantum cyber risk as experts urge earlier encryption shift

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Quantum cyber risk for PH businesses

Highlights

Cybersecurity experts warn Philippine businesses that current encryption may be obsolete by 2029 or 2030 due to quantum computing threats.
Transitioning to quantum-safe algorithms is urgent, especially for payment systems and sensitive data, as delays will complicate future adaptation.
Resource constraints and cybersecurity workforce shortages mean the Philippines is unprepared for Y2Q, requiring stronger government and private sector cooperation.

Warnings point to 2029 to 2030 threat window

As reported by BusinessWorld Online, cybersecurity experts say current encryption systems may no longer be sufficient against future quantum-powered cyberattacks, with a potential "Q-Day" arriving as early as 2029 or 2030. The term refers to the point when a sufficiently powerful quantum computer can break widely used encryption standards such as RSA and Elliptic Curve Cryptography, which help secure websites, emails and other internet-based systems.

Ramesh Nagarajan, head of Quantum Education at Eigensystems, says companies should begin by identifying their cryptographic assets and deciding which systems require the highest level of protection. He says payment systems and sensitive information should be among the top priorities, while businesses also need to start adopting quantum-safe algorithms to protect current systems from future attacks.

He warns that companies can no longer afford to delay because moving to quantum-safe systems is likely to take time. Waiting longer could make the transition harder as quantum computing capabilities advance.

Resource limits add pressure on transition planning

Francisco Ashley L. Acedillo, clinical professor at the Asian Institute of Management and academic program director of the Executive Master in Cybersecurity Management, says cybersecurity should be built into digital transformation efforts from the start. He says businesses need to identify their most important assets, whether digital systems, information or intellectual property, and rank them by the damage that could result from loss or compromise.

That prioritization is especially important because companies face limited resources and a shortage of qualified cybersecurity professionals. Acedillo says Philippine businesses and the government are not yet prepared for Y2Q, the transition toward a quantum-safe digital environment.

He calls for stronger cooperation between the public and private sectors, with the government providing leadership and regulatory support while businesses help protect the digital services and critical infrastructure they operate.

Cybersecurity funding in Q3 2026 stayed resilient, with total investment climbing to $6.8 billion even as the number of deals fell, reflecting a shift toward fewer but much larger rounds. Our earlier article also highlighted how AI- and identity-security companies attracted the biggest checks, alongside an active M&A backdrop as major players consolidated capabilities to keep up with emerging risks.

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