Preparing for Q-Day: Cybersecurity in the Age of Quantum and AI

Cyber security is no longer an afterthought. Cyber threads are now shaping the foundation of defense and critical infrastructure systems. At the same time, emerging technologies like quantum computing and AI are accelerating faster than expected, bringing both opportunities and risks. In this episode of Allies in Innovation, host Mikkel Svold sits down once again with Samant Khajuria, Vice President of Quantum and Cyber at Terma. They revisit the evolving cyber landscape, explore how defense organizations are preparing for “Q-Day” (when quantum computers can break today’s encryption), and discuss the crucial role of collaboration in staying ahead. They also cover practical challenges, from legacy systems to shifting standards, and explain why cyber needs to be integrated from the very first design stage and not added later. If you want to understand how the defense industry is gearing up for disruptive technologies, this episode will give you a front-row seat. In this episode, you'll learn about: 1. Why cyber is moving from “add-on” to a core design requirement. 2. How NATO standards are shaping interoperability in defense. 3. The convergence of cyber, AI, and quantum - and the risks of misuse. 4. The looming quantum threat: “harvest now, decrypt later.” 5. How post-quantum cryptography and QKD could secure the future. 6. Real-world challenges in transitioning legacy systems. 7. The importance of partnerships and joint strategies in Europe and beyond. 8. Why quantum sensing might become a game-changer. **Episode Content** 00:00 Introduction to Cyber and Quantum with Samant Khajuria 01:54 Cybersecurity as a requirement in defense and infrastructure. 03:29 The shift from “add-on” security to built-in resilience 05:41 Disruptive technologies: cyber, AI, quantum, and their dual-use risks 08:58 Collaboration and partnerships to keep pace with rapid innovation 09:38 Preparing for Q-Day: harvest now, decrypt later 10:52 Post-quantum cryptography and quantum key distribution in practice 12:47 Challenges of legacy systems and new cyber standards 15:09 Roadmap: proof-of-concepts and quantum key exchange projects 16:42 How smaller organizations can prepare for cyber and quantum threats 18:06 Quantum sensing and other non-cyber applications of quantum tech 19:40 Looking ahead: strategy, digitization, and reducing red tape **Production** This podcast is brought to you by Terma, https://terma.com This podcast is produced by Montanus, https://montanus.co