Carlos Moreira: CNBC roundtable on Quantum bringing together leadership from Cisco, IonQ, and SEALSQ

The CNBC roundtable on Quantum and Quantum Security at Davos 2026, bringing together leadership from Cisco, IonQ, and SEALSQ, converged on a clear and urgent message: quantum computing and cybersecurity must evolve together, starting now—not sequentially. Participants emphasized that the rapid acceleration of quantum computing is already creating a structural risk for today’s digital infrastructure, as most global communications still rely on cryptographic systems that will become vulnerable. The concern is not hypothetical; adversaries can already capture encrypted data today with the intention of decrypting it once quantum capabilities mature. This “record now, decrypt later” scenario makes the transition to quantum-resistant security an immediate priority rather than a future upgrade. A central point of agreement was that security must be embedded directly into the architecture of quantum systems. It cannot be treated as an external layer added after deployment. This applies not only to protecting data, but also to safeguarding the integrity of quantum machines, their control systems, and the intellectual property behind them. In this context, trust becomes a foundational requirement for scaling quantum technologies. The discussion also highlighted the need to accelerate adoption of post-quantum cryptography while maintaining flexibility through crypto-agility, allowing systems to evolve as standards mature. A hybrid approach combining new cryptographic algorithms with complementary technologies is seen as the most pragmatic path forward. Another critical dimension raised was the importance of hardware-based security. Reliance on software alone is insufficient in a quantum era; security must be anchored in semiconductors, secure elements, and trusted infrastructure layers. This reflects a broader shift toward end-to-end security ecosystems, where protection is embedded from the chip level up to networks and applications. Finally, the roundtable underscored the geopolitical implications of quantum security. Control over cryptographic infrastructure is increasingly tied to digital sovereignty, with governments and enterprises seeking independence, resilience, and trust in their systems. In this environment, quantum security is not only a technical challenge but also a strategic imperative shaping global competitiveness. The overall conclusion was unequivocal: the quantum era will not be defined solely by computational breakthroughs, but by the ability to build secure, trusted systems from the outset.