🔐 Future-Proofing Digital Trust in Quantum Era

• Overview: The rise of quantum computing poses an active threat to current public-key encryption methods (RSA and ECC) securing global digital infrastructure. Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)—including digital ID platforms, payment networks, and public services—must transition to quantum-safe systems immediately to protect national trust. • Key Risks Identifed: "Harvest Now, Decrypt Later" scams where attackers steal encrypted biometric data (fingerprints, iris scans) today to decrypt when quantum power matures, leading to permanent compromise. Forgery of digital signatures, enabling fraudulent identity documents, false benefit claims, and large-scale impersonation. • Strategic Response: The US NIST finalized its first post-quantum cryptography standards in August 2024 to protect digital identity and secure communications. A hybrid approach is recommended, combining current encryption with new post-quantum methods to maintain system compatibility. • Action Plan for Resilience: Implement a Cryptographic Bill of Materials to map algorithm usage across software, APIs, and vendors. Build cryptographic agility into platforms to allow encryption upgrades without rebuilding core ICT systems. Adopt shorter certificate lifetimes, stronger key rotation, and strict procurement rules for vendors. • Economic Context: Digital systems are trust systems; a compromised identity network or exposed biometric data damages public confidence irreparably. Quantum safety must become an operational priority from 2026 onwards to mitigate high inaction costs. _(Based on strategic policy data)_.