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In a recent report, The World Economic Forum had described quantum computing as a computing technology that could change how much electricity the digital economy consumes. Instead of processing information one state at a time, quantum computers use qubits that can represent multiple possibilities at once, allowing certain calculations to be completed with far fewer operations.

That idea has moved into the Forum鈥檚 main programme. At its Annual Meeting, quantum computing has been discussed alongside artificial intelligence, data centres and power grids, with a practical question in mind: how to keep global computing growth from overwhelming energy systems.

New analysis by Bain says that recent quantum computing advances have made quantum machines more stable and dependable, cutting the time needed to crack encryption that protects everyday digital activity. Once a large scale quantum computer becomes available, security used for payments, company email and internal systems could fail very quickly.

Executives are already thinking about that moment as Bain鈥檚 Post Quantum Cryptography Survey 2025 says 71% expect quantum attacks within 5 years, and close to a third think the window could be 3 years. Nearly 65% of business, IT and cybersecurity leaders accept that quantum computing will increase cyber risk across their organisations.

Only 11% of surveyed companies believe their defences will stay effective during the next 5 years. Bain analysis puts it bluntly, saying 鈥渜uantum computing will make today鈥檚 cryptography obsolete, affecting every area of IT infrastructure鈥�.

Bain says already, large volumes of sensitive information has been taken by states and criminal groups could be unlocked once quantum systems reach the required scale, and that includes defence designs, chip architectures, energy systems and long held government secrets.

Why Are So Many Organisations Unprepared?

As much as there is more awareness now than before, Bain research says only about 10% of companies have a funded roadmap backed by senior leadership to deal with quantum risk. Many executives expect suppliers, regulators or peers to act first.

Bain analysis explains that supplier updates usually cover narrow products, leaving gaps across company technology. Responsibility does not move with those gaps. Fines, legal action and operational damage stay with the organisation.

A lack of internal visibility adds to the problem because according to Bain鈥檚 survey, only 52% of companies understand where sensitive data exists across their systems. Just 38% keep a full record of cryptographic standards in use. Without that knowledge, replacing weak encryption becomes inefficient…

Quantum computing threatens common methods such as RSA, Diffie Hellman and elliptic curve cryptography. It also shortens the time needed to weaken protections like AES. Bain analysis adds that quantum systems paired with AI could speed up discovery of hidden software flaws and support more targeted fraud. Bain says 鈥渆xisting defenses, built on assumptions about computational difficulty, will collapse almost overnight鈥�.

What Does Taking Ownership Actually Involve?

Bain says leadership needs to take direct responsibility instead of waiting. The firm writes that risk can鈥檛 be outsourced, pointing out that reliance on third parties ties security to external priorities and schedules.

Work starts with mapping cryptographic exposure… That means knowing which algorithms are in use, where keys are stored, how long data needs protection and which systems face the greatest danger. Bain research says only 12% of companies treat quantum readiness as a deciding factor when buying new technology.

Bain research says 90% of executives have not set aside budgets or resources to be considered ready. Bain analysis says 鈥減reparations, leadership support, and proactive planning over the coming months are essential鈥�. Waiting increases costs and leaves organisations exposed as quantum capability moves closer to real world use.