{"id":27556,"date":"2026-04-16T07:00:14","date_gmt":"2026-04-16T05:00:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/smecyberinsights.co.uk\/?p=27556"},"modified":"2026-04-17T12:51:30","modified_gmt":"2026-04-17T10:51:30","slug":"the-reality-of-quantum","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/smecyberinsights.co.uk\/index.php\/2026\/04\/16\/the-reality-of-quantum\/","title":{"rendered":"SME Cybersecurity: Quantum will not hit most UK SMEs first; but it will change encryption expectations"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\"Partners1_NordVPN\"<\/figure><\/div>
\"Partners3_R3\"<\/figure><\/div>
\"Partners2_Zoho\"<\/figure><\/div>
\"Partners4_Plesk\"<\/figure><\/div>
\"Red_Button_Slider\"<\/figure><\/div>
\"ogo2\"<\/figure><\/div>
\"Detection.<\/figure><\/div>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"SECURUS\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"SME\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
Image Credit: RawPixel via Freepik<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Gibraltar:\u00a0 Thursday, 16 April 2026 \u2013 07:00 CET<\/p>\n

SME Cybersecurity: Quantum will not hit most UK SMEs first; but it will change encryption expectations. Learn PQC steps SMEs can take now.
\n<\/strong>By: Iain Fraser<\/a>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Cybersecurity Journalist
\n<\/a>Published in Collaboration with:
\nSecurus Technology Group
\n<\/a>SMECyberInsights.co.uk<\/a>\u00a0– First for SME Cybersecurity
\n<\/a>Google Indexed Pzero on: 160426 at 09:25 CET<\/a>
\n<\/em>#SMECyberInsights #SMECybersecurity #SMECyberInsights #SME #CyberSafe #CyberSecurity #Cybersecurity #Quantum<\/em><\/p>\n

\ufeff<\/span>\ufeff<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

SME Cybersecurity: Quantum will not hit most UK SMEs first; but it will change encryption expectations. Learn PQC steps SMEs can take now.<\/strong><\/p>\n

SME cybersecurity: will quantum computing affect the majority of UK SMEs?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Quantum computing is moving from \u201cresearch headline\u201d to \u201csecurity planning input\u201d. For most UK SMEs, quantum will not be the thing that breaches you this year<\/strong>, but it will quietly change what \u201cgood encryption\u201d means over the next few years, especially if you handle long-lived sensitive data or sell into larger supply chains. Here\u2019s how it develops, how it gets executed in real systems, and what to do without turning it into a science project.<\/p>\n

Quantum is not tomorrow\u2019s ransomware; it is tomorrow\u2019s broken trust model. Attackers do not need a quantum computer in your car park to make this your problem. They can steal encrypted data today and decrypt it later when quantum capability matures, a risk widely described as \u201charvest now, decrypt later\u201d<\/strong>. If you store client contracts, HR records, legal files, or R&D that must remain confidential for years, this is an SME issue, not just a government one.<\/p>\n

What \u201cquantum\u201d and \u201cpost-quantum cryptography\u201d mean in plain English<\/strong><\/p>\n

Quantum computing<\/strong> uses quantum properties to solve certain maths problems far faster than classical computers. In cyber terms, the big concern is cryptography.<\/p>\n

Public-key cryptography<\/strong> underpins secure websites (TLS), VPNs, software updates, and digital signatures. Some widely used public-key schemes could be weakened by a sufficiently capable quantum computer.<\/p>\n

Post-quantum cryptography (PQC)<\/strong> means new cryptographic algorithms designed to resist attacks from both classical and quantum computers. The goal is continuity: the internet still works, but with quantum-resistant maths under the bonnet. NIST has already finalised its first PQC standards, which is a clear signal that migration is no longer hypothetical.<\/p>\n

Where quantum risk shows up for UK small businesses<\/strong><\/p>\n

For most SMEs, the near-term exposure is indirect and operational:<\/p>\n

* Your cloud and software suppliers will change cryptography under you.<\/strong>\u00a0Expect updates to VPNs, browsers, identity platforms, and certificate services. NCSC is already publishing practical \u201cnext steps\u201d guidance for organisations preparing for PQC.<\/p>\n

* Supply chain pressure will increase.<\/strong>\u00a0Larger customers will ask what you are doing about quantum-safe encryption, particularly in regulated sectors and long-term contracts.<\/p>\n

* Data you keep for years becomes the priority.<\/strong>\u00a0If a breach today exposes encrypted archives, the encryption might not protect you forever. That matters for UK GDPR security measures because confidentiality is not a one-off checkbox. The ICO explicitly positions encryption as an example of an appropriate technical measure, with suitability depending on context and risk.<\/p>\n

To keep this grounded: the typical SME still gets hit by phishing, credential theft, and misconfiguration. The UK Government\u2019s Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2025 reports 43% of businesses<\/strong> experienced a breach or attack in the last 12 months. Fixing the basics remains the highest return.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"SME\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

What should SMEs do now, without a big budget?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Treat quantum readiness as a procurement and hygiene exercise; not a lab project.<\/p>\n

1. Inventory your \u201ccrypto dependencies\u201d.<\/strong>\u00a0List VPNs, remote access, website hosting, email security, certificate management, Wi-Fi authentication, and any bespoke apps using TLS or digital signatures. If you outsource IT, ask your provider for this list.<\/p>\n

2. Ask vendors one direct question:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cWhat is your timeline for supporting NIST-standard PQC for TLS and code signing?\u201d This is a low-effort way to separate mature suppliers from hand-wavers.<\/p>\n

3. Prioritise long-life sensitive data.<\/strong>\u00a0Identify datasets needing confidentiality for 5 to 10+ years (legal, M&A, product designs, health data, children\u2019s data). Apply stronger access controls now, and reduce retention where lawful and sensible.<\/p>\n

4. Make patching and upgrades non-negotiable.<\/strong>\u00a0PQC will arrive via updates. If your estate cannot stay current, you will miss security transitions. NCSC\u2019s PQC preparation guidance stresses staying up to date as a foundational step.\u00a01<\/a><\/p>\n

5. Keep the basics tight, because attackers will not wait for quantum.<\/strong>\u00a0MFA on email and admin accounts; tested backups; least privilege; device hardening. These map cleanly to Cyber Essentials controls and reduce the real-world threats hitting SMEs today.<\/p>\n

Authority and evidence you can cite<\/strong><\/p>\n

* NCSC<\/strong>\u00a0is actively advising organisations on how to prepare for post-quantum cryptography, signalling this is a national-scale transition, not a niche trend.<\/p>\n

* NIST<\/strong>\u00a0has released finalised PQC standards, giving industry a concrete baseline to implement.<\/p>\n

* ICO<\/strong>\u00a0frames encryption as an example of an appropriate technical measure under UK GDPR, reinforcing that crypto choices must match risk and data sensitivity.<\/p>\n

* UK Government survey data<\/strong>\u00a0shows today\u2019s dominant SME risk is still mainstream cybercrime, so quantum readiness must not distract from basic controls.<\/p>\n

If you do one thing this month: ask your key IT and SaaS suppliers for their post-quantum cryptography roadmap<\/strong>, then prioritise MFA, patching, and restore-tested backups so you are not fixing yesterday\u2019s problems while planning for tomorrow\u2019s maths.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"SECURUS\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

SECURUS Communications Ltd<\/strong><\/p>\n

Securus<\/a> <\/strong>is a managed communications Operator, providing next-generation network infrastructure and value added services to Managed Hosting providers and the ‘cloud generation’\u200b of enterprises. Securus<\/a> <\/strong>priority is to offer communication services that represent excellent value for money and are backed by exceptional levels of support.<\/p>\n

Contact Securus<\/strong>
\nSecurus Communications Ltd
\nStation Road, Landmark house, Hook, England RG27 9HA, GB
\nT: Enquiries:\u00a003451 283457<\/span><\/a>\u00a0| Service Desk: 03451 283458<\/a>
\nSecurus on LinkedIn<\/a> | Securus on “X”<\/a> | https:\/\/securuscomms.com<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tLatest Posts from SECURUS Communications<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t<\/div>
\n\n
\n
\n\n
\n \n \n \"AI-Powered <\/a>\n\n \n