India Prepares for Quantum Future: MeitY Launches Whitepaper to Strengthen Cybersecurity

New Delhi:  

In a significant move to improve India’s cybersecurity framework in the age of emerging quantum technologies, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), along with the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) and global cybersecurity firm SISA, launched a whitepaper titled “Transitioning to Quantum Cyber Readiness” in New Delhi on Friday.  

The whitepaper aims to guide India’s public and private sectors, including strategic industries, in preparing for a quantum-resilient digital future. It calls for immediate action to identify and secure vulnerable areas, especially those related to national security, sensitive public service data, and financial transactions.  

India has quickly become a global leader in digital payments and online public services, but now faces new challenges. With quantum computing technology advancing rapidly, current encryption systems like RSA and ECC are likely to become outdated soon. This has led the government to focus on building quantum-safe cybersecurity infrastructure.  

“Quantum readiness is a strategic necessity as we prepare for the disruptive potential of quantum technologies, especially in cybersecurity. As we experience transformations in digital, AI, and quantum across sectors, we need to begin improving our ICT infrastructures with clarity and speed. This white paper offers the right tools for that purpose,” said Shri S. Krishnan, Secretary of MeitY, during the launch.  

The whitepaper provides a clear framework to help organizations understand how quantum computing will affect current cryptographic systems and digital infrastructure. It offers guidance on moving to quantum-resistant algorithms and integrating new security protocols without disrupting ongoing operations.  

CERT-In Director General Dr. Sanjay Bahl emphasized the need for prompt preparedness. “CERT-In understands that quantum computing will fundamentally change the threat landscape. We must evolve our security frameworks today to protect India's growing digital infrastructure tomorrow. This partnership with SISA shows the value of collaboration between private-sector innovation and government initiatives. We welcome such partnerships to enhance national readiness,” he stated.  

Highlighting the scale of the challenge, Dharshan Shanthamurthy, CEO and Founder of SISA, commented, “Quantum computing presents the biggest shift in cybersecurity in over thirty years. What we are facing is not just a faster computer but a complete redefinition of computational limits. The systems we built our digital trust on are vulnerable by design in a quantum context. This is particularly vital for countries like India that have rapidly adopted digital-first economies. Our skills, combined with CERT-In’s approach to proactive cybersecurity and incident response, create a comprehensive strategy for protecting the future of India’s digital ecosystem. At SISA, we provide in-depth analysis, real-world visibility, and future-proof cryptographic strategies to help companies strengthen their defenses where it matters most — at the data layer.”  

The whitepaper is specifically tailored to address the needs of regulated sectors such as banking, financial services, insurance (BFSI), healthcare, and government services. It includes technical recommendations and emphasizes the importance of a culture of proactive cybersecurity and digital resilience.  

CERT-In is the national agency for responding to cybersecurity incidents as outlined in the Information Technology Amendment Act, 2000. It is responsible for gathering, analyzing, and sharing information on cyber threats, issuing alerts, and coordinating responses to cyber incidents.  

SISA is a global leader in cybersecurity solutions for the digital payments industry. It is a certified Global Payment Forensic Investigator by the PCI Security Standards Council and currently protects over 1,000 organizations in more than 40 countries.  

As quantum computing threatens to reshape the digital security landscape, the whitepaper represents a crucial step in ensuring that India’s digital infrastructure is prepared, resilient, and ready for the future.