Google Warns Quantum Computers Could Break Encryption by 2029

Google has issued an urgent warning that quantum computers capable of breaking current encryption systems could emerge as early as 2029, urging organizations across all sectors to begin adopting post-quantum cryptography immediately rather than waiting for the threat to materialize.

The warning reflects growing concern in the cybersecurity community about harvest-now-decrypt-later attacks, where adversaries collect encrypted data today with the intention of decrypting it once quantum computers become powerful enough. Sensitive data with long-term value, including financial records, medical information, and government communications, is particularly at risk.

Google is already taking action, testing a new certificate architecture in Chrome designed to protect HTTPS and TLS connections against future quantum threats. The company is working with standards bodies to accelerate the adoption of post-quantum cryptographic algorithms that can withstand attacks from both classical and quantum computers.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology finalized its first set of post-quantum cryptographic standards in 2024, providing organizations with approved algorithms to begin their migration. However, cybersecurity experts warn that the transition will take years and must begin now.

The quantum computing threat comes amid an already challenging cybersecurity landscape. The European Commission acknowledged a cyberattack by the ShinyHunters extortion group that compromised part of its cloud infrastructure, exfiltrating over 350GB of data. U.S. Authorities also disrupted botnets that infected over 3 million devices worldwide.

Cybersecurity startup Onit Security raised $11 million in seed funding to build AI agents that identify and remediate vulnerabilities, reflecting growing investment in AI-powered security solutions. Experts emphasize that organizations should treat post-quantum migration as a strategic priority, not a future concern.