It is past time to upgrade to post-quantum encryption

IT IS not just artificial intelligence that is sparking hopes of an imminent productivity miracle. Quantum computing, another long-promised technology, is also making progress and attracting serious interest. Investment in startups in the field rose six-fold in 2025, to $13bn, according to McKinsey, a consultancy. Both startups and tech titans are racing to exploit the technology. In May the Trump administration pledged $2bn to take equity stakes in nine quantum-computing companies.