Systematic Security: Building Quantum Security: Preparing for Q-Day and Beyond

The emergence of quantum computing introduces a significant shift in the digital and security landscape—prompting organizations to reassess the foundations of how we protect information. Systematic Security: Building Quantum Securityis a practical guide for security professionals, technologists, engineers, and organizational leaders seeking to prepare for the long-term impact of quantum technology on existing and future systems. In this structured and accessible book, cybersecurity expert Timur Qader presents a step-by-step approach to quantum security. By integrating insights from physics, computer science, and applied cybersecurity, the book explains key principles of quantum mechanics—such as superposition, entanglement, and interference—and examines how these principles can both undermine classical encryption and enable alternative methods for securing data. The book begins by outlining the scientific discoveries that formed the basis of quantum theory, followed by a clear explanation of quantum computing fundamentals. It then guides readers through the current landscape of post-quantum cryptography, threat models, and security maturity frameworks. Readers will gain insight into how nation-states, cybercriminals, and enterprises are preparing for the arrival of “Q-Day”—the moment when quantum computers reach the capability to break widely used encryption standards. More importantly, the book provides practical direction on how to prepare. This includes assessing existing cryptographic tools, adopting NIST-aligned transition strategies, and implementing quantum-resilient approaches to identity, detection, cloud infrastructure, and product security. Rather than offering speculation or alarm, this book delivers a grounded and strategic approach to building resilience. It helps readers take concrete steps toward quantum readiness, while also exploring the opportunities quantum technology offers for advancing cybersecurity capabilities. Whether you are maintaining critical systems, developing new technologies, or guiding long-term strategy, Building Quantum Security equips you to respond to a rapidly evolving threat landscape shaped by quantum innovation.

Table of Contents:
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION. OUR PATH FORWARD. THE UNDISCOVERED FUTURE. Q-DAY, Y2Q AND EVERYTHING IN-BETWEEN. THEY DIDN'T LIKE IT. CHAPTER 2: THE PHYSICS BEHIND QUANTUM COMPUTING. THE ATOM. BLACKBODY, ULTRAVIOLET CATASTROPHE & MAX PLANCK. EINSTEIN & HIS DEALINGS. BOHR'S MODEL: HALF-LIVES, ENERGY TRANSITIONS, AND PROBABILITY. MODERN CHEMISTRY. THE EMERGENCE OF QUANTUM MECHANICS. WAVES & SLITS IN EXPERIMENTS. CHAPTER 2 REFERENCES. CHAPTER 3: QUANTUM COMPUTING FOR SECURITY PROFESSIONALS. THE PATH TO COMPUTING: SEMICONDUCTORS & SUPERCONDUCTORS. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO COMPUTE?. SIMULATING PHYSICS THROUGH COMPUTERS. DAVID DEUTSCH AND THE BIRTH OF QUANTUM COMPUTING. FEATURES AND FUNCTIONALITY. TECHNIQUES TO CREATE QUANTUM COMPUTERS. CURRENT EVENTS IN QUANTUM COMPUTING (2025). CHAPTER 3 REFERENCES. CHAPTER 4: CRYPTOGRAPHY AND QUANTUM. CRYPTOGRAPHY OVER THE CENTURIES. THE WORLD WARS. MODERN CRYPTOGRAPHY. THE QUANTUM THREAT: 2020S AND BEYOND. BREAKING CRYPTOGRAPHY WITH QUANTUM COMPUTERS. HASH FUNCTIONS. FINAL SUMMARY OF CRYPTOGRAPHY FOR CLARITY. CHAPTER 4 REFERENCES. CHAPTER 5: QUANTUM-PRONE SECURITY WEAKNESSES AND REMEDIATION. PRIMARY WEAKNESSES FACED IN THE FIELD. INDUSTRY ADOPTED ROADMAPS FOR REMEDIATION. CASE STUDIES FOR REMEDIATION OF WEAKNESSES. RECOMMENDED STACK FOR QUANTUM RESILIENCE. TIMELINE & IMPLEMENTATION REVISITED. CHAPTER 5 REFERENCES. CHAPTER 6: SECURING WITH QUANTUM. IDENTITY AND AUTHENTICATION. QUANTUM-ENHANCED THREAT DETECTION. OPTIMIZED SECURITY DEFENSES. ROOT CAUSE ANALYSIS AND INCIDENT CORRELATION. SECURITY FORENSIC IMPROVEMENTS. PROOF OF CONCEPTS IN SECURING WITH QUANTUM. ROUNDING UP THE OPPORTUNITIES. CHAPTER 6 REFERENCES. CHAPTER 7: ENHANCED SECURITY IN DATA COMMUNICATIONS. QUANTUM INTERNET WITH TELEPORTATION. BENEFITS OF TELEPORTATION FOR SECURE NETWORKING. QUANTUM SECURE CLOUD COMPUTING. TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND MOBILITY. THE NOISY INTERMEDIATE-SCALE QUANTUM (NISQ). CHAPTER 7 REFERENCES. CHAPTER 8: SECURING PRODUCTS AND SOFTWARE. APPROACHING PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT WITH QUANTUM. SECURING SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT. SECURING HARDWARE DEVELOPMENT. SEMICONDUCTOR CHIPS & EXPOSURE. OTHER INDUSTRIES OF NOTE. MANUFACTURING AND OT. EDGE COMPUTING. CHAPTER 8 REFERENCES. CHAPTER 9: ACTION PLANS AND PREPARATION. QUANTUM SECURITY MATURITY MODELING. NEAR-TERM & ESSENTIAL: IMPLEMENTATION PLANNING. TIMELINE FOR IMPLEMENTATION. MID-TERM ACTIVITIES AND PREPARATION (~2030 – 2040). LONG-TERM ACTIVITIES AND PREPARATION (~2040+). CHAPTER 9 REFERENCES. CHAPTER 10: TAKEAWAYS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. ESSENTIAL QUANTUM SECURITY PHYSICS. KEYS TO QUANTUM COMPUTING – THE QUANTUM SHIFT. SOLVE THE CRYPTOGRAPHY PROBLEM FIRST. QUANTUM RESILIENCE PLANNING. DISRUPTIVE CAPABILITIES AND INNOVATION. MEASURING YOUR MATURITY. CLOSING STATEMENTS. Chapter 10 References.

About the Author :
Born 1976 in Afghanistan, Timur Qader, the youngest of four, left the country in 1978 because of the coup d’etat and Russian invasion. His father secured a position with the United Nations, and the negotiated terms were that he would go on assignment and in return the UN would extract his wife and four kids to meet him in his first assignment. For the next ten years, the family lived in several countries and had the opportunity to experience different cultures along the way. In 1985, Timur’s father was reassigned to headquarters in New York and the family moved to Westchester, New York. After graduating from Lakeland High School in Shrub Oak, NY, Timur attended the University of Buffalo where he received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. Right after college Timur moved to the Capital Region of New York (Albany), where he started work not in engineering but telecommunications with Bell Atlantic that shortly became Verizon. Along the way, he completed his MBA, and MS in Information Security and met his wive Vanessa Qader with whom he had two boys named Xavier and Darian Qader. Over twenty-five years, Timur has held multiple positions as CISO, and worked for the security think tank Center for Internet Security (CIS). He spends his time with family, exercise and education. Timur received what he deems as his greatest achievement short of family, his black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 2022, and he continues to practice the martial art as part of his exercise regimen. This book is part of the Systematic Security series Timur has been working on and is the platform by which he hopes to champion sound security practices, and systematic ways of instituting those practices across various institutions.