Defence Online

Quantum leadership must be matched by quantum security

April 16, 2026

The UK Government’s ambition to become the first country to deploy quantum computing at scale marks a defining moment for the nation’s technological future. Backed by up to £2 billion in investment and targeting deployment in the early 2030s, the direction is clear: quantum is moving from theory to reality.

But leadership in quantum capability alone is not enough. Without equally advanced security, the same technologies that promise strategic advantage could introduce systemic risks.

For organisations operating at the heart of the UK’s digital infrastructure, this is already front of mind and the conversation is now shifting from what quantum can do to how it can be secured at scale.

Current encryption isn’t ready for a quantum future

Quantum computing holds the promise of revolutionary advances in defence, logistics, materials science, secure communications, and high-level simulation. Its potential to reshape industries and reinforce the UK’s strategic position is significant. Yet, this technological leap is not without risk; it fundamentally disrupts the bedrock of current cyber security practices.

Today’s encryption techniques are built to protect data both while it is stored and as it moves, safeguarding everything from government networks to energy grids, transport systems, and classified military operations. The emergence of quantum computing threatens to render many of these cryptographic defences obsolete, exposing vulnerabilities across critical sectors.

This risk is immediate and substantial. The World Economic Forum estimates that over 20 billion devices worldwide depend on encryption standards that could be compromised by quantum technology, underscoring the vast scale of potential exposure. Furthermore, adversaries are already employing “harvest now, decrypt later” tactics, capturing sensitive information today with the intention of unlocking it in the future when quantum capabilities mature.

For defence organisations and providers of vital infrastructure, this long-term vulnerability is a pressing issue that demands urgent attention.

Quantum ambition demands sovereign security standards

Organisations need clarity over where their data resides, who controls encryption keys, and how that data is secured as it moves across networks.

At Vodafone Business, we believe that sovereignty goes beyond simply determining where data is stored. Genuine sovereignty encompasses comprehensive control over every layer – from data itself to encryption practices, and the connectivity infrastructure that underpins it.

Storing sensitive workloads within UK jurisdiction is an important step, but it is not sufficient on its own. Without control over how data is transmitted and secured in transit, gaps remain.

The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre has acknowledged this challenge through its Post-Quantum Cryptography migration roadmap. With a 2035 deadline for transition, this is no longer a theoretical discussion – it is a defined and time-bound shift.

From roadmap to reality

Migration to post-quantum cryptography is not a simple upgrade. It requires organisations to identify where cryptography is embedded across their systems and understand how those systems interact.

In practice, this is where many organisations face their biggest challenge. Cryptography is deeply integrated into legacy infrastructure, often spanning decades of technology.

Retrofitting security at a later stage will be significantly more complex and costly than building quantum resilience into systems today.

Supply chains further complicate this picture. Large defence contractors may have the resources to transition quickly, but smaller suppliers may lag behind. If different parts of the ecosystem move at different speeds, vulnerabilities will emerge.

From our work supporting large, distributed organisations, it is clear that quantum readiness must be coordinated across entire ecosystems – not approached as isolated technical upgrades.

Infrastructure is as important as algorithms

Quantum security is often framed as a challenge of cryptography. In reality, it is equally a challenge of infrastructure.

Data does not exist in isolation – it moves continuously across networks, between organisations, across borders, and through complex supply chains. Securing that movement is critical.

This is where secure, resilient connectivity becomes a strategic enabler. Networks must be capable of supporting quantum-resistant encryption at scale, without compromising performance, latency or reliability.

The development of the UK’s future digital infrastructure will be pivotal in meeting the demands of the quantum era. Over the coming eight years, VodafoneThree has committed £11 billion to the creation of one of Europe’s most advanced networks. This binding investment will establish the UK’s leading 5G Standalone capability, underlining the significant scale of resources needed to support transformative technologies such as quantum computing.

5G Standalone networks are designed with security, slicing and low-latency performance at their core. This makes them inherently better suited to support the secure, high-performance data environments that quantum-enabled applications will demand.

From a Vodafone Business perspective, this is not just about faster connectivity. It is about building infrastructure that is secure by design, capable of evolving with new cryptographic standards, and aligned with the UK’s long-term sovereignty and resilience goals.

Without trusted, future-ready networks, even the most advanced encryption cannot guarantee end-to-end security.

Innovation and security must walk hand-in-hand

The UK is uniquely positioned to lead in quantum innovation. Government programmes such as ProQure and the National Quantum Strategy demonstrate clear intent to move from research to real-world deployment.

But as quantum capabilities accelerate, so too must the infrastructure and security models that support them.

The NCSC’s 2035 migration deadline provides a clear timeline. The organisations that act now – mapping their cryptographic dependencies, strengthening their networks, and aligning with sovereign security principles – will be best placed to adapt.

The forthcoming Defence Investment Plan and Cyber Security and Resilience Bill will only sharpen expectations further.

Defining secure quantum leadership

The UK has a genuine opportunity to lead the world in quantum computing. But leadership will not be defined by capability alone – it will be defined by how securely that capability is deployed.

At Vodafone Business, we believe the organisations positioned for success will be those adopting a comprehensive approach – integrating quantum-resistant cryptography with secure, scalable, and sovereign network infrastructure. By taking proactive steps now, organisations not only mitigate potential risks but also play a pivotal role in shaping the benchmarks for secure quantum integration within the UK and on a global scale.

Because in the quantum era, leadership and security are not separate ambitions – they are inseparable.

Article submitted by Steve Knibbs, Director, Vodafone Business Security Enhanced

Post written by: Vicky Maggiani

Vicky has worked in media for over 25 years and has a wealth of experience in editing and creating copy for a variety of sectors.