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Telefonica, S.A. TEF recently inked an agreement with International Business Machines Corporation IBM to engineer robust security solutions that safeguard businesses and public institutions from the risks of a post-quantum world.
The rise of quantum computing promises unprecedented computational power, enabling more advanced calculations. However, it presents a significant challenge: safeguarding data security in a world where conventional encryption methods may become obsolete. Although cryptographically relevant quantum computers do not yet exist, sensitive data is already at risk of being collected by cybercriminals for potential decryption in the future.
IBM has created quantum-safe enterprise software to tackle future security risks. IBM Guardium Quantum Safe, part of IBM Guardium Data Security Center, aids organizations in managing cryptography, fixing vulnerabilities and strengthening security. It also includes IBM Guardium Key Lifecycle Manager for secure, scalable encryption key management. IBM Quantum Safe Explorer and IBM Quantum Safe Remediator help identify cryptographic vulnerabilities, test quantum-safe algorithms and set up quantum-safe proxies.
These solutions aim to safeguard organizations' critical data from quantum decryption threats by using new quantum-safe cryptography standards set by NIST. IBM co-developed two of the three published post-quantum cryptography standards, enhancing data security for the quantum era.
What the TEF-IBM Partnership Brings to the Table
Per the collaboration, TEF will integrate IBM’s quantum-safe technology into its cybersecurity services. By leveraging IBM’s expertise in quantum-safe cryptography, Telefónica Tech aims to help businesses and public organizations transition to secure encryption standards that can withstand quantum computing threats. The agreement includes establishing a joint use case office to focus on communications encryption, adapting to new secure algorithms and protecting critical environments.
IBM's infrastructure has been installed at Telefonica's headquarters in Distrito Telefonica, Madrid, to support business growth. Designed for security and resilience, it helps protect against post-quantum threats. This includes an IBM LinuxONE system with end-to-end encryption using quantum-safe cryptography, IBM Storage technology and advanced tools for securing master and operational keys.
By combining Telefonica’s cybersecurity capabilities with IBM’s expertise in quantum-safe cryptography, businesses and public organizations can proactively protect their critical data and stay ahead of potential threats.