This Europol Observatory report looks into how quantum computing and quantum technologies will impact law enforcement and what should be done to prepare
Published on: 23 Oct 2023
Quantum computing and quantum technologies are knocking on law enforcement’s door with new opportunities, as well as new threats, that authorities need to anticipate. Europol published today the first-of-its-kind report, “The Second Quantum Revolution: The impact of quantum computing and quantum technologies on law enforcement”. The report provides a forward-looking assessment of the impact of quantum computing and quantum technologies on law enforcement. It also outlines potential applications of these new technologies. The report is a joint endeavour between the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC), Europol’s European Cybercrime Centre (EC3) and Europol’s Innovation Lab.
Europol’s Executive Director Catherine De Bolle said:…
Quantum computing and quantum technologies hold significant potential to strongly impact law enforcement. From the analysis of large and complex data sets, to improved forensics capabilities and new ways of …
… profit from such advancements and we have to prepare accordingly. This new report offers valuable insights to help law enforcement step into the second quantum revolution and start preparing for the future.
Opportunities and threats in the post-quantum era
This report provides a forward-looking assessment of how quantum computing and quantum technologies might impact law enforcement activities across the globe. These emerging technologies have the potential to impact a remarkably wide range of applications used by law enforcement, but could be exploited by criminals.
A particularly pressing concern is the impact of quantum computing on cryptography. While quantum computing could offer advantages to law enforcement in the investigation of cold cases and improving password guessing, it also threatens to break the encryption we use to keep sensitive information safe today.
In a concept known as ‘store now, decrypt later’, criminal actors could already accumulate encrypted information, such as stolen databases, protected files, or communications data; and hold onto them with a view to later decryption for nefarious purposes.
To counteract this, the transition to post-quantum cryptography is vital. It is imperative for law enforcement and data-driven organisations to audit and protect their systems against a threat that is not just a distant future concern, but an imminent issue that demands immediate attention and action today.
Moreover, the report highlights how quantum technologies could improve machine learning and artificial intelligence, the establishment of highly secure communication channels, as well as enhance forensic capabilities.
Five key recommendations for law enforcement:
- Observe quantum trends: monitor relevant developments to detect emerging threats;
- Build up knowledge and start experimenting to benefit from these developments in the future;
- Foster research and development projects engaging closely with scientific community to build a network of expertise;
- Assess the impact of quantum technologies on fundamental rights to ensure law enforcement uses these new technologies while protecting fundamental rights;
- Review your organisation’s transition plans to ensure critical systems are protected in the post-quantum era.
About Europol’s European Cybercrime Centre
Europol set up the European Cybercrime Centre (EC3) in 2013 to strengthen the law enforcement response to cybercrime in the EU and thus to help protect European citizens, businesses and governments from online crime. The centre focusses on cybercrime committed by organised crime groups, which generate large profits (online fraud), seriously harm victims (online child sexual exploitation) or impact critical infrastructure and information systems in the EU, including cyber-attacks. Since its establishment, Europol’s EC3 has made a significant contribution to the fight against cybercrime: it has been involved in hundreds of high-profile operations and hundreds on-the-spot operational-support deployments resulting in hundreds of arrests.
About Europol’s Innovation Lab
The Innovation Lab aims to identify, promote and develop concrete innovative solutions in support of the EU Member States’ operational work. This helps investigators and analysts to make the most of opportunities offered by new technologies to avoid the duplication of work, create synergies and pool resources. The activities of the Lab are directly linked to the strategic priorities as laid out in Europol Strategy 2020+, which states that Europol shall be at the forefront of law enforcement innovation and research. The work of the Europol Innovation Lab is organised around four pillars: managing projects to serve operational needs of the EU law enforcement community; monitoring technological developments that are relevant for law enforcement; maintaining networks of experts; being the secretariat of the EU Innovation Hub for Internal Security.
About The Joint Research Centre (JRC)
The Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission plays a key role at multiple stages of the EU policy cycle by providing independent, evidence-based science and knowledge, supporting EU policies to positively impact society. The JRC works closely with other Commission departments, EU institutions and agencies, as well as with scientific partners and policy organisations in Europe and internationally, offering scientific expertise and competences from a wide range of scientific disciplines.
