Australia: Cyber Security Centre adopted guidance on quantum technology pertaining to computing

On 19 February 2026, the Cyber Security Centre adopted the guidance on quantum technology pertaining to computing. The guidance explains how quantum computing may affect cybersecurity and calls for early preparedness for post-quantum risks. It applies to small and medium businesses, large organisations, critical infrastructure operators, and government bodies that rely on cryptography, cloud services, or high-performance computing. The guidance outlines the differences between quantum and classical computing and highlights the future threat posed by cryptographically relevant quantum computers to existing asymmetric encryption. It identifies main risks, including “harvest now, decrypt later” attacks, supply-chain vulnerabilities, cloud quantum service access risks, and shortages of specialist expertise. The guidance encourages organisations to plan an early transition to post-quantum cryptography, strengthen access controls and network segmentation, improve supply-chain assurance, and invest in relevant skills.