Protecting data at the crossroads of two revolutions and their impacts on data security
Data Threat Report Finds 98% are concerned about impact of Quantum and AI on each other
Technology transitions always present challenges to security strategies. AI and quantum computing are creating new and profound strategic imperatives. One of the most difficult aspects of managing security risks is understanding the nature and timing of threats. Risks related to AI are here today in the early stages of its deployment. Quantum risks might seem more distant, but they could loom larger and advance more rapidly. The 2026 Thales Data Threat Report: Quantum & AI Trends presents a new look at two revolutionary technologies and their impacts on data security. This report examines where those risks are materializing and explores the measures that enterprises are taking to mitigate them, as well as their expectations for future developments.
This research was based on a global survey of 3,120 respondents fielded via web survey with targeted populations for each country, aimed at professionals in security and IT management.
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Key Findings
AI and quantum futures are intertwined
98% of respondents are considering the impact of Quantum and AI on each other.
Quantum computing will help improve AI:
57% believe it will enhance machine learning; and
54% believe it will lead to advanced simulation of complex systems.
AI has created security pressures
25% ranked AI security spending as the second highest spending category after cloud.
30% said their security budget, specifically for AI, increased significantly.
Quantum risks are impacting security today
32% have either identified quantum projects or started experimenting with quantum computing as quantum concerns shift to the reality of harvest now, decrypt later (HNDL) as 61% regarded it the top concern.
59% of organizations regard prototyping and evaluating Post-Quantum Cryptographic (PQC) algorithms as their top path to becoming quantum safe.
Quantum risks are impacting security today
52% said competitive advantage was the number one factor driving interest in quantum computing.
47% of enterprises believe they will realize material value in 1-3 years, with an additional 28% expecting in 3-5 years from now.
From 451 Research’s VoTE Digital Pulse, Quantum computing study (April 2026)