News item | 10-07-2025 | 11:42 AM
Where you share sensitive information, you have to pay attention. Strong passwords and two -step verification help with this. But what if a new technique can break all that security soon? Quantum computers can do that. Fortunately, the Netherlands itself is also good at that. We showed that in the run-up to the NATO summit.
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Quantum computers explained
But what does that technology actually mean? Quantum computers work differently than the computers we know now. Instead of bits that are 0 or 1, they use quubits that can be 0 and 1 at the same time. That sounds abstract, but it has major consequences. Quantum computers can solve certain mathematical problems much faster than classic computers. And let’s difficult mathematics are just the basis of almost all current forms of encryption; The safe way of encrypting information.
Threat
The biggest threat is that quantum computers will be able to crack existing security methods such as RSA-widely in internet security, e-mail encryption and digital signatures-in a short time. What would take millions of years for a normal computer can be a matter of minutes for a powerful quantum computer. This means that encrypted information from today can still be opened in the future.
A dangerous scenario is the so -called ‘Store Now, Decrypt later ‘. In this context, malicious parties are already intercepting encrypted data, such as state secrets, medical records or financial information. Although they cannot read it today, they keep these files awaiting quantum technology that can break the encryption. It is not surprising that the European Commission stated in its route map that the digital image of the future must be quantum safe.
Solution
Post-Quantum cryptography offers a solution. This is cryptography based on mathematical problems that are assumed that they cannot be cracked with a quantum computer. Based on the Dutch government, the Quantum -Safe Cryptography program works rich in aids to control the risks of quantum technology on cryptography on time.
From the Dutch ecosystem around Quantum technology, there is an additional measure available in the field of information and communication safety, Quantum Key Distributionor qkd. This is a way to share so -called cryptographic (secret) keys between two parties. The special thing about this method is that every attempt at eavesdropping immediately sends a signal. As a result, the sender and receiver notice it immediately if someone tries to watch and they can break the connection. The key can therefore not be intercepted or unnoticed – something that can be done with classic cryptographic keys.
The Netherlands sets the tone during pre-navo event
In order to keep the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Justice and Safety in the Quantum era safe, a pilot project has been started in which experimentation is made with the complementary functioning of QKD.
In that project a test setup of a Quantum network has been rigged, this test network was used to investigate a number of cases from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In this way you can test with this technique in an isolated way. And that that is something special, it turned out during the pre-NAVO event ‘Securing the Future’. There, during a presentation with a live demonstration, the ministries showed that the Dutch government now has an operational quantum network and have shown that QKD and PQC work complementary. This demonstration made concrete what quantum -proof communication entails and showed that this is no longer future music, but already works in practice.
The pilot project is a joint initiative of several ministries, including the Ministry of Justice and Security and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in collaboration with the following partners: Quantum Delta, Q*Bird, Rinis, Sogeti, the Justice IT organization and Eurofiber.
International quantum computing
The European Commission has presented its route map for a digital vision of the future that is quantum safe. The Netherlands is ready to set a good example: by investing in the cryptographic resilience (PQC), strengthening research and testing in the field of quantum technology, and building close collaborations between government, science and business. For example, we build a digital infrastructure that also remains safe for future generations.
Urgency
The urgency is clear: as soon as quantum computers really break through in a few years, all networks and systems of the government must be quantum safe. That means: switching to post quantum cryptography, encryption that is resistant to attacks with quantum computers. In addition, it requires targeted investments in quantum technologies such as Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) and for careful choices about which data we are already protecting against future deciphering. Because what seems safe today can be open and bare on the street tomorrow.