Cloud Security Against Quantum Attacks: Risk and Mitigation Strategies for a New Era

The looming arrival of quantum computing presents a fundamental challenge to modern digital security, threatening the foundations of current encryption methods, and Yaser Baseri, Abdelhakim Hafid, and Arash Habibi Lashkari from the University of Montreal and York University investigate the risks and potential solutions for cloud infrastructure. Their comprehensive survey systematically examines vulnerabilities across the entire cloud computing stack, demonstrating how quantum algorithms can compromise data at multiple levels. The team’s work assesses potential attack vectors using a structured risk assessment approach and proposes a layered framework integrating hybrid cryptography, cryptographic agility, and proactive risk mitigation strategies. By analysing the approaches of major cloud service providers like AWS, Azure, and GCP, and evaluating standardized post-quantum cryptographic algorithms, this research offers crucial insights for building cloud systems resilient to the coming quantum era, and provides a strategic reference for architects, policymakers, and researchers preparing for this significant technological shift.

Post-Quantum Cryptography and Cryptoagility Transition

The transition to Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) is driven by the emerging threat of quantum computers breaking current encryption methods. Research focuses on identifying necessary cryptographic algorithms and outlining practical steps for organizations and governments to migrate to these new standards. A key component is cryptoagility, the ability to quickly and efficiently switch cryptographic algorithms to respond to evolving threats, alongside growing interest in privacy-preserving technologies leveraging PQC, particularly in cloud computing and data sharing. Investigations center on the standardization process led by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), which is evaluating and selecting PQC algorithms.

Government mandates and roadmaps are being developed to establish timelines and requirements for federal and international migration to PQC, highlighting the U. S. government’s commitment to leading in quantum computing while mitigating cryptographic risks. Researchers are actively assessing candidate PQC algorithms, analyzing their strengths and weaknesses to inform the selection process. A significant portion of the research focuses on lattice-based cryptography, a leading candidate for PQC due to its strong security properties and performance characteristics.

Scientists are also exploring homomorphic encryption, allowing computations on encrypted data, in conjunction with PQC to enhance privacy. Zero-knowledge proofs, enabling verification of information without revealing it, are also being investigated for building privacy-preserving systems. While lattice-based cryptography is dominant, other approaches like code-based and multivariate cryptography are also being considered. Practical implementation and migration strategies are crucial, emphasizing the importance of cryptoagility and robust risk assessment frameworks. Scientists are developing toolchains and platforms for building and deploying quantum-resistant software, including cloud-native platforms.

Applying PQC and privacy-enhancing technologies to cloud computing environments is a major focus, as is secure multi-party computation for privacy-preserving data sharing. Integrating quantum-resistant cryptography into software-defined networking architectures is also being explored. Applications of PQC extend to various sectors, including energy management and smart grids, the Internet of Things (IoT) and edge computing, financial services and payment security, and data privacy and confidential computing. Research also addresses related technologies like randomness generation, secure boot processes, and trusted execution environments to enhance overall system security. The PQC transition is a major undertaking requiring significant planning, investment, and coordination across governments, industries, and research institutions.

Quantum Threats to Cloud Computing Security

This study systematically investigates the vulnerabilities of Cloud Computing (CC) in the face of advancing Quantum Computing (QC) capabilities. Researchers employed a structured risk assessment methodology, centered around the STRIDE threat model, to comprehensively evaluate potential attack vectors across the entire CC stack. This approach extends beyond traditional security frameworks, allowing the team to identify weaknesses both before and after organizations implement Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) solutions. The study meticulously analyzed how quantum algorithms can undermine classical encryption methods at multiple architectural layers within cloud environments, demonstrating the potential for widespread disruption.

Scientists evaluated the preparation and implementation approaches of major Cloud Service Providers, including Amazon Web Services, Azure, and Google Cloud Platform, synthesizing platform-specific initiatives toward PQC adoption. This involved a detailed examination of how these providers are integrating quantum-resistant technologies and protocols into their existing infrastructures. Furthermore, researchers conducted a detailed evaluation of standardized PQC algorithms, exploring their resilience to both side-channel and active attacks within cloud-native deployments. This assessment went beyond theoretical analysis, focusing on practical vulnerabilities that could be exploited by quantum-enabled adversaries. The team’s work highlights the importance of a hybrid transition strategy, deploying quantum-resistant algorithms alongside existing classical cryptographic methods to ensure continuous security during the transition period and protect critical infrastructure from evolving quantum threats.

Quantum Risk Assessment For Cloud Transition

This work presents a comprehensive risk assessment and mitigation framework for transitioning cloud computing infrastructures to quantum-safe systems. Researchers employed a structured methodology, aligned with National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication 800-30, to systematically evaluate security risks during this critical transition. The risk assessment process itself is a four-phase approach, encompassing preparation, conduct, communication, and maintenance, ensuring a thorough and consistent evaluation. Initial scoping defined the assessment’s purpose, boundaries, and a tailored threat model, allowing for systematic identification and prioritization of quantum-related threats across all cloud components.

A detailed evaluation of risk components included identifying threats, analyzing vulnerabilities, assessing threat likelihood, and evaluating potential impact, forming the foundation for a robust transition strategy. The study mapped over 200 studies to a nine-layer cloud architecture, classifying them by relevance to pre- and post-transition quantum threat landscapes, and aligning with the STRIDE taxonomy. Researchers conducted a comprehensive search, revealing approximately 5,970 results for studies combining “cloud security” with quantum or post-quantum cryptography, and 3,240 results focused on NIST standardized post-quantum cryptography algorithms. Further analysis identified around 850 studies exploring post-quantum cryptography implementations by major cloud providers like AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure.

The study systematically addresses the quantum-safe transition across eleven interconnected sections, providing a detailed analysis of classical cryptographic vulnerabilities exposed by quantum computing, alongside emerging risks in post-quantum cryptography. Benchmarking NIST-standardized PQC algorithms was conducted, evaluating computational efficiency and communication overhead for practical cloud deployments. This research identifies six key future research directions, including standardization and interoperability, performance and scalability, and integration with emerging technologies, paving the way for a more resilient and secure cloud infrastructure in the quantum era.

Cloud Infrastructure Vulnerability and Post-Quantum Transition

This research presents a comprehensive evaluation of the risks posed by quantum computing to cloud infrastructures and proposes strategies for a secure transition to post-quantum cryptography. The team systematically assessed vulnerabilities across the entire cloud computing stack, demonstrating how quantum algorithms threaten existing encryption methods at multiple architectural layers. Employing a structured risk assessment methodology, based on the STRIDE model, they identified and categorized potential attack vectors, evaluating both their likelihood and potential impact. The study synthesizes current initiatives from major Cloud Service Providers, AWS, Azure, and GCP, regarding post-quantum cryptographic implementation. Furthermore, the researchers conducted a detailed evaluation of standardized post-quantum cryptographic algorithms, exploring their resilience against side-channel attacks.