Once it becomes mainstream, quantum computing could make your secure encryption codes useless. Traditional computers need thousands of years to solve complex calculations that quantum computers can crack in seconds. This advancement might completely wipe out our current encryption methods.

Sigh. Sometimes it feels like our industry loves to keep us all on the edge of panic.

This piece explains quantum computing's effects on code security and the risks you should prepare for. We’ll also delve into security risks that exist specifically with the rise of vibe coding, as well as practical steps to safeguard your systems as we enter the quantum era.

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How quantum computing breaks traditional code

Traditional encryption protects your digital data through complex mathematical problems. These problems would take traditional computers forever to solve. Quantum computing has altered the map of this security completely.

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Why classical encryption is no longer safe

The creators of classical encryption standards like RSA, ECC, and AES didn't consider quantum computing capabilities. And why would they? Quantum computing was mostly a pipedream at that point, and these encryption methods are pretty much unbreakable with regular computers, possibly taking quadrillions of years to crack. A quantum computer, by contrast, could break them in hours…or minutes.

This gap exists because quantum computers work in a completely different way than classical ones. Classical computers use binary bits (0s and 1s). Quantum computers, on the other hand, use qubits that can be both values at once through superposition. This lets them process large amounts of data much faster.

The weakness mostly shows up in asymmetric encryption methods like RSA and ECC, which are the foundations of internet security. These systems depend on math problems that classical computers find really tough to solve. Quantum computers can crack these problems quickly.

The "harvest now, decrypt later" approach that we mentioned a moment ago is also worrying. Bad actors collect encrypted data today and plan to decrypt it when quantum computers become powerful enough. In other words, it’s not just future data that quantum computing can affect, it’s data that you’re sending and using today that can be affected in the future.

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How Shor's algorithm changes the game

Mathematician Peter Shor developed Shor's algorithm in 1994, and it sits at the core of this quantum security threat. This algorithm knows how to factor large numbers and solve discrete logarithm problems efficiently. These are exactly the math challenges that RSA and similar cryptographic systems rely on.

Shor's algorithm can cut down the time needed to factor large numbers from thousands of years to just minutes. To name just one example, a 50-bit integer was factored recently using combined quantum-classical techniques.

Now, if you’re reacting with a visceral, “Oh no!” when you read that, don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many in the cybersecurity world lost their minds when this broke. However, we need to keep things in perspective here. Modern RSA implementations use 2048-bit keys. That’s a far cry from the 50-bit key that was broken. In fact, even with the admittedly alarming fact that a computer broke an RSA algorithm, the security difference is still huge: breaking a 2048-bit RSA key would need a 20 million qubit computer running for eight hours.

We’re not there yet. The most advanced quantum computers have just passed 1,000 qubits and only work steadily for 1-2 milliseconds. Experts agree that we won't see cryptographically relevant quantum computers until at least the 2030s.

Again, though, perspective is important. While we are not yet able to crack RSA encryption with quantum computing, the fact does remain that it is very, very likely to be in our future. Why? Because we did crack RSA encryption. It was a small key, but that’s how everything develops: you take small steps, then larger, then larger, until you reach your goal. Breaking the sound barrier is nothing compared to walking on the moon, but it took breaking the sound barrier to make the next steps.

We also need to remember that the 2030 guess is just that: a guess. It might be accurate, of course. It could also overshoot, and the tech is available before that. Sometimes things develop faster than we expect. Of course, it could also be way past 2030 — sometimes things develop slower than expected. The point is, we don’t really know, which is why we need to be developing a holistic approach to quantum defenses.

And that starts with the building blocks of every software and product: the code.

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The real risks for developers and coders

Developers depend on standard cryptographic libraries to secure their applications, websites, and software products. These libraries use algorithms like RSA and ECC that protect everything from secure email to financial transactions. This affects common code that handles:

• Web interactions and HTTPS connections
• Authentication systems and digital signatures
• Data storage encryption
• IoT device communications

That’s…basically everything, which means everything needs an overhaul, from the libraries we use to the testing and scanning we use, to the sandbox we develop in.

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Why your current libraries may be outdated soon

Most developers think their security libraries will stand the test of time, but the truth is, development frameworks need a complete overhaul of their cryptographic libraries to use quantum-resistant algorithms. Fortunately, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has released post-quantum cryptography standards. However, these don’t do any good if they aren’t implemented. And they need to be, if for no other reason than “cryptographic debt.”

Cryptographic debt is when old algorithms buried deep in applications need replacement. Companies that haven't planned for post-quantum cryptography lag behind in this crucial change.

So, one of the first steps we need to start doing is implementing the post-quantum cryptography standards (PQCS) that NIST recommends. The next step is to begin going through these programs and replacing/patching the old algorithms.

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The rise of 'Harvest Now, Decrypt Later' attacks

Bad actors aren't waiting for quantum computers to evolve. They launch "Harvest Now, Decrypt Later" (HNDL) attacks by capturing encrypted data now to decrypt it when quantum capabilities become available. This means your deployed code could be compromised without you knowing it.

Because it’s not compromised yet, but one day, it will be. It’s kind of like the computing version of pre-crime.

Intelligence agencies warn that nation-state actors lead these attacks to target valuable long-term data. This means that any code that handles intellectual property, trade secrets, or sensitive corporate information faces immediate risk. Or, immediate future risk…anyone else’s head spinning?

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What vibe coding means in a post-quantum world

Getting ready for the quantum computing era needs a major change in code security approaches. Quantum vulnerabilities need anticipation rather than reaction. And while current vulnerabilities are also better-served by anticipation, sometimes reaction is the best we can do, and it often turns out okay. But this is different, because a bad actor can breach a network and get caught before he or she gets vital information.

Breaking RSA encryption, on the other hand, leaves everything vulnerable. This is why forward-thinking security needs to start at the code level, and this is why we need to discuss vibe coding. Because forget forward-thinking, vibe coding often doesn’t use thinking at all.

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From reactive to proactive security thinking

Security has often been an afterthought in software development — it’s something teams add after code development (usually after release, too). This approach proves dangerously inadequate in the quantum era. The "Secure by Design" (SbD) framework is a vital strategy that embeds security into software development's foundation. Quantum-safe coding needs security consideration from the first line of code, instead of patching vulnerabilities after teams find them.

This change becomes essential with the "harvest now, decrypt later" threat, where attackers collect encrypted data today and wait to decrypt it when quantum computers become powerful enough. Your security planning must look beyond immediate threats to prepare for future quantum capabilities.

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How developer culture must progress

Developers must reshape their mindset from building functionality first, to making security a priority throughout development. This cultural progress requires:

• Knowing how to switch between cryptographic primitives without major infrastructure changes
• Creating dedicated centers of excellence with specialized cryptographic engineers
• Removing barriers between security teams and developers
• Understanding both classical and quantum threat models

Developers should gain competency in post-quantum cryptography early instead of waiting for final standards. While we’ve made it no secret that vibe coding is a dangerous practice (there are exceptions, of course, but we’re speaking broadly), it is even more so now, on the cusp of quantum computing. As a developer, you must be aware of how code works in context of other code, and how cryptography works in context of code. Develop the tools and habits now.

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Tools and habits for quantum-safe coding

These practical tools and habits will help prepare for quantum-safe development:

1. Open Quantum Safe (OQS) project offers open-source libraries for quantum-resistant cryptographic algorithms, including liboqs
2. NIST Post-Quantum Standards are finalizing algorithms that withstand quantum attacks
3. Hybrid approaches combine classical and quantum-safe algorithms to maximize protection

Teams should audit their cryptographic dependencies and monitor quantum computing advances regularly. A governance team should oversee quantum-safe implementation to match organizational goals. Small-scale pilots give valuable insights about post-quantum cryptography solutions before full deployment.

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Steps developers can take to stay ahead

Being a proactive developer means having a strategic roadmap to secure your code. The time to act is now since full integration requires significant time, time we may not even have.

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Audit your cryptographic dependencies

Your first step should be a complete cryptographic inventory to identify cryptography's use in your environment. This inventory helps determine which components aren't quantum-safe. During this audit:

• Assess the sensitivity and retention requirements of stored encrypted data
• Focus on asymmetric cryptographic implementations (RSA, ECC) most vulnerable to quantum attacks
• Create a Cryptographic Bill of Materials (CBOM) documenting all assets and dependencies

Also, keep in mind that this inventory needs regular updates as your cryptographic usage changes.

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Experiment with post-quantum libraries

The Open Quantum Safe (OQS) project's resources are a great way to get developers started on their quantum-resistant trip. Their liboqs C library has open-source implementations of quantum-safe algorithms with a common API. The Intel Cryptography Primitives Library also has eXtended Merkle Signature Scheme (XMSS) and Leighton-Micali Signatures (LMS) implementations.

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Follow NIST and open-source PQC projects

NIST has finalized four post-quantum cryptography standards: CRYSTALS-Kyber, CRYSTALS-Dilithium, SPHINCS+ and FALCON. System administrators should start integrating these algorithms now, without waiting for future standards. The Post-Quantum Cryptography Alliance and other open-source initiatives can help guide implementation.

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Collaborate with security teams early

Establish quantum-safe "ambassadors" or "champions" who track quantum risks and coordinate enterprise strategy. Organizations working alone often duplicate efforts and miss critical vulnerabilities. Strategic collaborations become vital-work with suppliers to understand third-party dependencies and update procurement processes to prioritize PQC-supporting solutions. Industry groups offer opportunities to share knowledge and tackle quantum risks together.

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Conclusion

Quantum computing threats need immediate attention instead of future planning. Your encrypted data faces real risks today through "harvest now, decrypt later" attacks, even though fully capable quantum computers might be years away.

Traditional security approaches no longer suffice. Your development process should already include quantum-safe practices rather than viewing quantum threats as distant concerns. NIST's newly released standards and open-source quantum-resistant libraries offer practical solutions.

Time serves as your greatest asset but also limits your options. Organizations that start quantum-safe implementation now gain a clear advantage, particularly since cryptographic transitions take years to complete. Quantum computing will disrupt every piece of code that handles sensitive data, not just specialized security systems.

A complete cryptographic audit should kickstart your action plan. This audit leads to gradual implementation of post-quantum algorithms. The quantum computing era brings unprecedented challenges, but proper preparation will keep your code secure against current and future threats.

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FAQs

Q1. How does quantum computing threaten current encryption methods? Quantum computers can potentially break common encryption methods like RSA and ECC in hours or minutes, compared to the trillions of years required by traditional computers. This capability renders many current security measures vulnerable to future attacks.

Q2. What is a "harvest now, decrypt later" attack? This is a strategy where malicious actors collect and store encrypted data today, with the intention of decrypting it once sufficiently powerful quantum computers become available. This poses an immediate threat to sensitive information, even before quantum computers are fully realized.

Q3. When will quantum computers be capable of breaking current encryption? While experts generally agree that cryptographically relevant quantum computers won't emerge until at least the 2030s, the threat is considered imminent. Organizations and developers need to start preparing now due to the complexity and time required for transitioning to quantum-safe cryptography.

Q4. What steps can developers take to prepare for the quantum era? Developers should audit their cryptographic dependencies, experiment with post-quantum libraries like those from the Open Quantum Safe project, follow NIST's post-quantum cryptography standards, and collaborate closely with security teams to implement quantum-safe practices throughout the development lifecycle.

Q5. Are there any quantum-resistant encryption methods available now? Yes, NIST has finalized its first four post-quantum encryption standards: CRYSTALS-Kyber, CRYSTALS-Dilithium, SPHINCS+, and FALCON. These are ready for immediate implementation and provide a starting point for developers looking to create quantum-resistant systems.