Quantum computing poses security threat, may break cryptographic algorithms: Palo Alto Networks

Time of India

22-04-2025

OpenRAN technology poses security pain points due to its disaggregated and open architecture, but risks can be efficiently mitigated by implementing enterprise-grade security measures, said Swapna Bapat, Vice President & Managing Director, India and SAARC, Palo Alto Networks. In an interaction with ETTelecom's Muntazir Abbas, Bapat talks about AI technology breakthroughts, evolving data privacy regulations, quantum computing vulnerabilities and OpenRAN technology. Edited excerpts.
What are the cyber threats you foresee in 2025?
Coming into 2025, cyber attacks will be rising at high speed, powered by AI technology breakthroughs and quantum computing advancements, leading to increased regulatory attention. The top threats predicted for the year include: Deepfake attacks going mainstream, quantum threats, and supply chain and product integrity. With these constantly changing threats, organizations will need to proactively adopt AI-defenses, use quantum-resilient security, and practice openness in leveraging AI in order to be one step ahead of the cyber threat game in 2025.
With AI getting mainstream, do you think CIOs and CISOs need more caution?
As AI goes mainstream, CIOs and CISOs have to tread the thin line between innovation and security. While AI adoption drives digital transformation, enhances efficiency and customer experience, it also brings new threats that require a more risk-aware and strategic approach. Additionally, as automation with AI becomes increasingly embedded in business processes, CIOs must ensure that compliance with evolving data privacy regulations and AI-driven decision-making risks are mitigated. AI also introduces new cyber threats in the guise of deepfake-facilitated fraud and AI-enabled attacks, so organizations must become more resilient.
Your views on using an AI shield as a security layer? How effectively it can thwart advanced threats?
AI security comprises applications, policies, and technology to protect AI from unauthorised access and attacks. AI security is a multidisciplinary field and requires collaboration among experts in machine learning,
cybersecurity
, software engineering, ethics, and various application domains. The adoption of AI has drastically transformed the security landscape, driving a surge in the sophistication and frequency of attacks.
What are quantum security threats? How is Palo Alto Networks bringing in innovation here?
The incredible processing power and speed of quantum computers significantly threaten traditional encryption methods. Quantum computing's sheer force can compromise public key infrastructure (PKI) and uncover significant weaknesses in current security systems. Quantum computing poses a threat to cybersecurity through its potential to break the cryptographic algorithms that currently protect sensitive data, communications, and digital transactions. Quantum Random Number Generator by Palo Alto Networks helps organizations get ready for future quantum security threats.
Share key findings of IBM-
IBV-Palo Alto recent study.
In the study, 'Capturing the cybersecurity dividend: How security platforms generate business value,' more than half (52%) of surveyed executives note fragmentation of security solutions is limiting their ability to deal with cyber threats, but 75% of organizations that have embraced security platformisation agree that better integration across security, hybrid cloud, AI, and other technology platforms is crucial. 60% of Indian executives (80% globally) agree they face pressure to reduce the cost of security, and globally, 41% say security fragmentation has driven up procurement costs.
Why is OpenRAN technology challenging from a security standpoint?
OpenRAN raises security concerns by granting third-party applications access to certain interfaces, which exposes network information flows. With multiple network functions virtualized on shared hardware, weak security controls may create vulnerability, potentially impacting other network functions due to risks introduced by new RAN components.
OpenRAN technology presents security challenges due to its disaggregated and open architecture, which introduces more interfaces and potential attack vectors. However, these risks can be efficiently mitigated by implementing enterprise-grade security measures. Comprehensive security covering all layers, interfaces, attack vectors, and software life cycle stages, along with slice security ensures that 5G networks remain protected, regardless of whether they are built on traditional or
Open RAN
architecture. These security practices can defend organizations against malware, botnets and others.