India stands at a crucial crossroads in its digital journey.
As cyberattacks grow increasingly sophisticated and the quantum era approaches, the nation must invest in home-grown cybersecurity in India to protect critical data and infrastructure.
This was the message delivered by Electronics and IT Secretary S. Krishnan while releasing a whitepaper on Quantum Cyber Readiness prepared by CERT-In in collaboration with SISA.
“This is one space where we cannot depend on anybody else. This is one area where we must have fully homegrown solutions, both hardware and software.”
— S. Krishnan, Electronics & IT Secretary
The Quantum Challenge: A New Cybersecurity Reality
Quantum computers could disrupt today’s digital security.
Once operational at scale, they may break most current encryption systems, putting sensitive information at risk.
The whitepaper warns that any data needing protection beyond 2030 is already at risk.
It notes that nation-states may be harvesting encrypted data now, waiting for quantum decryption capabilities.
Other nations are acting quickly. For example, a US Executive Order (January 2025) requires government departments to adopt post-quantum cryptography within set deadlines.
(Outbound link suggestion: link “US Executive Order (January 2025)” to a credible news or government source about it.)
Why India Needs Its Own Cybersecurity Backbone
Krishnan emphasised that cybersecurity is not a domain where India can rely on foreign tools.
Building home-grown cybersecurity in India is essential for national security.
He urged development of indigenous cryptographic standards and post-quantum security tools even before quantum computers become mainstream. These will secure communications, protect sensitive data, and safeguard national infrastructure.
“Even in a classical computer, you must have work being done on post-quantum cryptography. Everyone who uses computers needs to have a cryptographic tool which can protect their communication and data from a post-quantum threat.”
(Internal link suggestion: link “national infrastructure” or “data protection” to other relevant articles on your website.)
National Quantum Mission: Building the Foundation
In March, the Government of India launched the National Quantum Mission (NQM) with a budget of ₹6,000 crore over eight years, signalling its commitment to quantum science and technology.
Of this, ₹1,000 crore is for electronics and IT-related quantum projects, and ₹513 crore is already allocated under the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY).
The Time to Act Is Now
The whitepaper warns:
“The quantum threat clock started ticking the moment sensitive data was first transmitted or stored using quantum-vulnerable encryption.”
This means the threat is not distant — it is here now. Any data meant to stay confidential beyond the arrival of quantum computers is already at risk.
Final Thoughts: Securing India’s Digital Future
Cybersecurity has become a matter of national sovereignty.
To face the quantum threat, India must invest in home-grown cybersecurity that is robust, scalable, and future-ready.
Waiting for external solutions is not an option.
The next decade will decide if India becomes a cybersecurity powerhouse — or a vulnerable target.
The time to secure India’s digital future is now.