Professor Andris Ambainis warns Latvia and the global community about new cyber threats posed by advancing quantum computing that could break current encryption and urges urgent development of quantum-safe cybersecurity.

Cyber & Information WarfareCyber AttacksHacking, malware, ransomware

Defense

Summary

The article dated April 24, 2024, features Professor Andris Ambainis from the University of Latvia raising alert over the looming cyber threats stemming from the rapid progress of quantum computing. Quantum computers have the capability to break today's encryption standards, putting online banking, government data, and critical infrastructures at risk. Current cybersecurity systems rely heavily on classical cryptography, which quantum technologies could rapidly render ineffective. The article stresses the importance of transitioning to ‘quantum-safe’ encryption, upgrading systems, and fostering international cooperation for knowledge sharing. Latvian scientists have partnered with global firms to develop quantum algorithms aimed at improving security and threat detection. The author emphasizes that the threat is not hypothetical but imminent, necessitating immediate proactive measures to avoid potentially catastrophic cybersecurity breaches.

Classification

Confidence: High

This event is classified as defensive preparation because it discusses the emerging cyber threats posed by quantum computing and emphasizes the urgent need for developing quantum-safe encryption and upgrading cybersecurity systems. The event does not describe a specific aggressor attack but focuses on awareness and readiness, including Latvian researchers' efforts to contribute to quantum cybersecurity.

Source URL

https://eng.lsm.lv/article/features/commentary/24.04.2025-are-we-ready-for-new-cyber-threats-in-the-quantum-era.a596550

Open source

Provenance

Publisher: csv-import
Submitted: Feb 1, 2026, 00:14 UTC
Last updated: Nov 9, 2026, 00:50 UTC
Event time: Apr 24, 2025, 06:30 UTC

Published as a Defense Preparations signal with a public source and reviewer-approved assessment bands. See the methodology for how records are assessed.

Raw record

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  "id": "25f1fbe4-6a99-474d-ba67-43224cc09c5f",
  "url": "https://eng.lsm.lv/article/features/commentary/24.04.2025-are-we-ready-for-new-cyber-threats-in-the-quantum-era.a596550",
  "source": "csv-import",
  "status": "approved",
  "category": "Cyber & Information Warfare",
  "subcategory": "Cyber Attacks",
  "incident_type": "Hacking, malware, ransomware",
  "country": "Latvia",
  "source_reliability": "C",
  "info_credibility": "3",
  "tags": [
    "quantum computing",
    "offensive cyber operations",
    "quantum threats",
    "encryption",
    "Latvia",
    "quantum-safe encryption",
    "cyber threat preparedness",
    "Andris Ambainis",
    "Centre for Quantum Computing Science",
    "university research"
  ],
  "nodes": [],
  "countries": [],
  "where_text": "Cyberspace",
  "headline": null,
  "description": "On April 24, 2024, Professor Andris Ambainis, head of the Centre for Quantum Computing Science at the University of Latvia, warned about emerging cyber threats in the quantum era that could undermine traditional encryption methods and cybersecurity systems worldwide. The article highlights quantum computing's potential to break current encryption standards, endangering online banking, national security systems, and privacy protections. The piece also discusses the urgent need to develop quantum-safe encryption and to upgrade cybersecurity systems to address anticipated quantum-based threats. Latvian researchers are actively contributing to quantum cybersecurity by advancing algorithms that can both exploit and defend against quantum threats. Despite quantum computing's promise, there is a pressing need for preparedness against new cyber risks that may emerge in the near future.",
  "summary_short": "Professor Andris Ambainis warns Latvia and the global community about new cyber threats posed by advancing quantum computing that could break current encryption and urges urgent development of quantum-safe cybersecurity.",
  "summary_extended": "The article dated April 24, 2024, features Professor Andris Ambainis from the University of Latvia raising alert over the looming cyber threats stemming from the rapid progress of quantum computing. Quantum computers have the capability to break today's encryption standards, putting online banking, government data, and critical infrastructures at risk. Current cybersecurity systems rely heavily on classical cryptography, which quantum technologies could rapidly render ineffective. The article stresses the importance of transitioning to ‘quantum-safe’ encryption, upgrading systems, and fostering international cooperation for knowledge sharing. Latvian scientists have partnered with global firms to develop quantum algorithms aimed at improving security and threat detection. The author emphasizes that the threat is not hypothetical but imminent, necessitating immediate proactive measures to avoid potentially catastrophic cybersecurity breaches.",
  "actor_primary": "Professor Andris Ambainis",
  "target_primary": null,
  "location_text": null,
  "location_region": null,
  "location_coordinates_lat": null,
  "location_coordinates_lon": null,
  "location_precision": "Unknown",
  "is_aggressor_signal": false,
  "signal_type": "DEFENSE_PREP_SIGNAL",
  "is_hybrid_war_signal": false,
  "classification_complete": true,
  "hybrid_signal_complete": true,
  "classification_confidence": "High",
  "classification_rationale": "This event is classified as defensive preparation because it discusses the emerging cyber threats posed by quantum computing and emphasizes the urgent need for developing quantum-safe encryption and upgrading cybersecurity systems. The event does not describe a specific aggressor attack but focuses on awareness and readiness, including Latvian researchers' efforts to contribute to quantum cybersecurity.",
  "event_time_utc": "2025-04-24T06:30:00.000Z",
  "end_time_utc": null,
  "event_time_confidence": "pm24h",
  "created_at": "2026-02-01T00:14:27.104Z",
  "updated_at": "2026-11-09T00:50:29.664Z",
  "reliability_band": "strong",
  "location_precision_band": "unknown",
  "time_precision_band": "within_24h",
  "severity_band": "moderate",
  "attribution_confidence_band": "high",
  "attribution_basis": "single_source"
}

Public assessmentReliability: StrongSeverity: ModerateAttribution: HighSingle sourceTime: Same dayLocation: Unknown

Source reliability

Info credibility

Event time

Apr 24, 2025, 06:30 UTC

Event time confidence

pm24h

Location

Cyberspace

Primary actor

Professor Andris Ambainis

Country

Latvia

Tags

quantum computing, offensive cyber operations, quantum threats, encryption, Latvia, quantum-safe encryption, cyber threat preparedness, Andris Ambainis, Centre for Quantum Computing Science, university research

Loading signal...

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