IBM and StarHub have announced an expanded collaboration aimed at enhancing quantum-safe security capabilities to address emerging cryptographic threats. This initiative, which includes the use of IBM Guardian Cryptography Manager and IBM Quantum Safe Explorer, seeks to prepare StarHub for the risks posed by future quantum computers. Although mature quantum computers are not yet available, adversaries are already using “Harvest Now, Decrypt Later” tactics to intercept encrypted data, intending to decrypt it once quantum technology advances.
The collaboration focuses on establishing a crypto-agile foundation for StarHub, operating on Red Hat Enterprise Linux. This move is part of a broader effort to build security architectures that can adapt to evolving risks and post-quantum standards. StarHub’s Chief Technology Officer, Volkan Sevindik, emphasised the importance of crypto-agility in protecting sensitive data and maintaining trust, stating, “We are now advancing our quantum-safe readiness to prepare for increasingly complex security challenges.”
IBM’s support will help StarHub discover cryptographic dependencies, assess vulnerabilities, and prepare for migration to post-quantum cryptography standards. This collaboration reflects a growing industry focus on cybersecurity as a strategic imperative rather than just a compliance requirement. Catherine Lian, General Manager and Technology Leader at IBM ASEAN, highlighted the urgency of strengthening cybersecurity, noting, “The threat of ‘Harvest Now, Decrypt Later’ is a present-day reality for critical infrastructure.”
IBM’s quantum-safe technologies are based on algorithms recognised by the US National Institute of Standards and Technology. This partnership underscores the increasing importance of cybersecurity in the telecommunications sector, particularly in Singapore, where regulatory expectations continue to evolve.
