Quantum Computing.
What it Means and Why it Matters Today.
Quantum Computing
Preparing for the Quantum Era. What You do Today Matters.
Quantum technology, once theoretical, represents a seismic shift in the technology landscape. Given the exponential growth in computing power and potential, it’s a shift that’s likely to surpass that of cloud computing and artificial intelligence, with Quantum technology already solving some of today’s most challenging problems.
In medicine for instance, quantum technology is actively transitioning from laboratory experiments to a practical reality for solving complex problems that classical computers could never handle on their own. Quantum processors are being applied to specialised “high-dimensional” challenges in logistics, finance, and drug discovery to provide vastly more efficient real-world solutions.
This utility requires more than just powerful, quantum computers though; it requires a fundamentally new way of connecting them.
Quantum Computing vs Classical Computing
For the uninitiated, quantum computing is not just a faster version of classical computing – it’s a fundamental reimagining of how we process information.
Classical computing is the technology powering everything from smartphones to massive supercomputers. It operates on a binary system with information processed in “bits”. These bits an exist in one of two states: a 0 or a 1.
Every operation performed by a classical computer, regardless of how complex, ultimately boils down to manipulating those bits through deterministic logic. Meaning, if you provide the exact same input, you are guaranteed the exact same result, every time. Think of classic computing like a light switch – it’s either on or off. Classical networks transmit this information by moving these bits from point A to point B.
The classical computing model works remarkably well for tasks like data processing, transaction systems, analytics, and software applications. It’s reliable, predictable, and scalable, which is why it remains the backbone of enterprise computing.
By comparison, quantum computing operates on the principles of quantum mechanics, utilising “qubits” (quantum bits) as the fundamental unit of information. Unlike a classical bit, a qubit can exist in a state of superposition, meaning it can represent both 0 and 1 simultaneously.
This allows quantum systems to explore many possible outcomes simultaneously rather than one at a time. Instead of checking every option sequentially, they amplify promising solutions and suppress weaker ones through the use of probability, the likelihood of an answer being correct, and interference, the process of manipulating qubit state so the correct paths reinforce each other while incorrect paths cancel one another.
If classical computing is like testing keys on a lock one by one, quantum computing is like testing many keys at once and letting the lock itself guide you toward the right fit. That capability makes quantum systems especially effective for optimisation, probabilistic modelling, and coordination problems – the very areas where classical systems rely most heavily on approximation.
Looking Towards a Quantum Future
Many think that a quantum future is much further away than it actually is. Leading corporations, governments, and research institutions are already building the quantum ecosystem now – including Cisco.
The Cisco Research team has developed a unified quantum networking stack and prototypes for a quantum data center future like the Quantum Network Entanglement Chip and a Network-Aware Quantum Compiler, as well as quantum-enhanced security and data coordination applications that deliver solutions to classical computing problems of today.
In addition, global governments and other enterprises are making significant strides in the quantum space. IBM, Google, and IonQ have established roadmaps targeting error-corrected, large-scale systems of up to a million qubits by 2029-2033. When those machines are connected through a quantum network, the levels of computational power and coordination will be untouchable to today’s current standards.
While the timeline for a fully functional “quantum internet” is long, its principles already provide advantages for classical systems today, such as secure fiber-optic communications networks. That’s why these early moves matter.
Quantum Networking | The Path to Scaling Quantum Technology
The path to scaling quantum technology lies in quantum networking, which uses entanglement to link smaller processors into a unified “quantum fabric” that can operate over existing fiber-optic infrastructure.
With quantum networking, quantum systems can interact together effortlessly. This connective tissue enables machines to work on bigger problems, improve sensing and measurement, and create ways to solve challenges beyond the reach of a classical computer.
Achieving these goals will require us to overcome the current limitations of a single quantum processor, which are often limited in scale, dubbing them insufficient to tackle many real-world issues.
However, through networking processors, organisations can create Quantum Data Centers (QDCs). QDCs act as large, scalable engines where complex algorithms run across many networked machines.
To make this possible, QDCs need to have the right tools in place. Researchers, academics, and engineers are building network-aware quantum compilers, like the currently-available demo from Outshift and Cisco Research, to intelligently distribute quantum algorithms across networked processors. The compilers support distributed quantum error correction, which is crucial for ensuring complex quantum calculations are reliable and accurate.
Preparing for the Quantum Era | Now is the Time to Start Planning
Ensuring your business is ready for quantum capabilities involves a dual strategy: scaling up power and scaling out through networking.
Just like the race to acquire as many GPUs as possible to fuel advancements in AI, organisations will be racing to acquire more quantum computing power.
It’s not enough for an organisation to have a single quantum machine. Organisations need to connect many smaller processors into a larger, distributed quantum computer to have a coherent system to realise the full benefits of quantum computing.
In the classical world, data centers do something similar, linking racks of servers to work in unison. In the quantum world, the connections go beyond sharing workloads. Scaling out begins with modular quantum architectures. Multiple processors, each with their own strengths, are wired together through quantum links. The network passes messages and distributes quantum states themselves. It makes an entirely new kind of computation possible.
Organisations need to start thinking beyond their own data center. They need to plan a quantum system that extends across sites. Organisations that are truly quantum ready will understand the significance of how to connect their internal quantum assets with trusted partners to create a secure, high-speed corridor for computations.
Some of the benefits of quantum networking such as eavesdropper detection and coordination that exceeds classical exist now. Large-scale distributed quantum computing will come later, but the groundwork is already being built. The risk of waiting is high. Early adopters will gain speed, coordination, and security advantages. Planning now can help businesses prepare for the future.
Security Challenges | Why Post-Quantum Cryptography Matters
While quantum computing promises significant advances across science, industry and technology, it also presents a serious challenge. Sufficiently capable quantum computers could break many of the cryptographic algorithms used to secure today’s networks, applications and digital identities.
While a cryptographically relevant quantum computer does not yet exist, the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) is advising organisations to begin preparing now. For many organisations, particularly those operating critical infrastructure or managing sensitive information, this will require post-quantum cryptography to be incorporated into network architecture, procurement and infrastructure refresh programs.
What is post-quantum cryptography?
Post-quantum cryptography (PQC) uses algorithms designed to resist attacks from both conventional and quantum computers.
Today, technologies such as TLS, VPNs, digital certificates and secure remote access commonly rely on traditional asymmetric algorithms, including:
- Rivest-Shamir-Adleman (RSA)
- Diffie-Hellman (DH)
- Elliptic Curve Diffie-Hellman (ECDH)
- Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA)
A sufficiently capable quantum computer could render these algorithms ineffective, potentially compromising authentication, digital signatures and encrypted data in transit.
ASD-approved post-quantum algorithms include ML-KEM for establishing encryption keys and ML-DSA for digital signatures. These algorithms are intended to provide a practical pathway for protecting systems against future quantum-enabled attacks.
Note: Information in this article has been sourced from Cisco. Visit the Outshift by Cisco and Cisco Quantum Labs to see how they’re creating the full quantum networking stack.
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