Quantum-Resistant Standards Needed for Future Security
Digital architects must prioritize quantum-ready cryptography to secure blockchain ledgers against emerging computational threats.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Quantum Computing
Live Poll
Do you trust artificial intelligence tools with your sensitive personal or business data?
Virgin Active Chief Data Officer Ankit Shah addressed the 2026 IT Indaba on the necessity of integrating quantum computing with blockchain to secure digital ecosystems. He noted that current AI systems operate with a 20 percent error rate, requiring more robust accountability mechanisms as quantum capabilities advance.
Why it matters
Current RSA and Elliptic Curve Cryptography are potentially vulnerable to future quantum computers, which can solve complex mathematical problems much faster than classical systems. Establishing quantum-resistant standards now is critical for maintaining the immutability of blockchain ledgers and managing the reliability of AI decision-making.
Artificial intelligence currently functions with a 20 percent error rate, leaving 80 percent accuracy as the benchmark for decision intelligence. Meanwhile, quantum computing utilizes superposition to process multiple calculation stages simultaneously, rather than the binary switches found in classical architectures.
The players
Ankit Shah
The chief data officer at Virgin Active who focuses on digital strategy and the intersection of emerging technologies.
NIST
The National Institute of Standards and Technology, which defines and authorizes post-quantum cryptography standards for global use.
Virgin Active
A health club chain that maintains significant digital infrastructure and data assets.
The details
Quantum computers function by using superposition—a quantum mechanical phenomenon where particles exist in multiple states simultaneously—rather than binary switches that process data as either zeros or ones. This architecture allows them to solve specialized scientific simulations and complex math problems that would require immense time for classical computers. To maintain security, researchers are looking toward post-quantum cryptography, which involves algorithms designed to resist the decryption capabilities of quantum hardware, a standard currently authorized by NIST.
Timeline
Ankit Shah spoke at the 2026 IT Indaba on October 21, 2026.
African innovators are urged to focus on building frontier solutions over the next two years.
The Tech Race
The drive to secure ledgers against quantum threats follows the established transition toward NIST post-quantum cryptography standards. This effort marks a departure from traditional security models, prioritizing long-term data integrity over the current reliance on classical mathematical difficulty.
Organizations will soon need to audit their existing cryptographic standards to ensure compatibility with quantum-resistant algorithms. Businesses prioritizing AI integration must prepare for higher accountability requirements as the 20 percent error rate necessitates better oversight.
The takeaway
The intersection of quantum computing and blockchain represents a shift toward more resilient digital trust frameworks. Watch for updates from NIST on post-quantum algorithm adoption as the primary indicator of when industries must migrate from current cryptographic methods.
Further reading
For more context on the current state of secure digital infrastructure, see our latest updates in Quantum Computing.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CIO South Africa.
Live Poll
Do you trust artificial intelligence tools with your sensitive personal or business data?
