Malaysia launches National PQC Migration Plan and Sandbox POC Programme to transition to quantum-resistant security standards amid emerging threats.
SERDANG: The National Post-Quantum Cryptography Migration Plan 2025-2030 and PQC Sandbox Proof-of-Concept Programme were officially launched today.
Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar unveiled the initiatives at the International Conference and Exhibition on Post-Quantum Cryptography Technology.
He warned that emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and quantum computing introduce increasingly complex cybersecurity threats.
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“Quantum technology promises great achievements, but it also brings significant implications to national security, privacy, and public trust,” Shamsul Azri said.
He explained that traditional security algorithms face high risk from quantum-enabled attacks that could break conventional encryption systems.
The quantum computing horizon is no longer speculative, with every nation facing the same fundamental challenge.
“Imagine, the long-term sensitive data, national intellectual property and citizens’ lifelong health records that we protect today with the strongest public key encryption are being harvested, stored, and merely waiting for the arrival of powerful quantum computers to be decrypted,” he stated.
He emphasized that the threat already exists against historical data today, questioning preparedness for when today’s strongest encryption becomes tomorrow’s open secret.
Through Budget 2025, the government allocated RM25 million to Universiti Putra Malaysia to establish the Malaysian Cryptology Technology and Management Centre.
This centre will collaborate with the National Cyber Security Agency to advance quantum computing and AI readiness.
The initiative reflects the government’s firm commitment to digital sovereignty and strengthening cybersecurity for the quantum computing era.
“Malaysia’s cybersecurity journey has always been guided by strategy, foresight and collaboration,” Shamsul Azri added.
He stressed that cybersecurity is about national trust, economic stability, and sovereignty that must evolve for the quantum era.
Universiti Putra Malaysia vice-chancellor Datuk Prof Dr Ahmad Farhan Mohd Sadullah also attended the launch event. – Bernama
