News

Quantum Computing is Coming: Are Your Printers Protected?

Published

6 months ago

May 16, 2025

Editor

Steve Inch, Global Senior Print Security Strategist & Product Management Lead at HP Inc.

Amid the current enterprise focus on artificial intelligence (AI), a potentially even more transformative technology is waiting in the wings. Quantum computing is coming, and it could arrive sooner than many of us think. But it will bring with it a monumental security challenge. Experts believe there could be . When that happens, the foundations of global digital trust will begin to crumble.

This is no far-off threat, and there have already been numerous false alarms to date. While software can be updated quickly in the global push to quantum-resistant cryptography, hardware cannot. This leaves everything from workers’ laptops to office printers at risk. Given its extended lifespan, a printer bought today may conceivably be vulnerable to quantum-powered threats before it’s even due to be replaced.
Enterprise security teams cannot afford to wait around any longer. It’s time to understand the threat and engage with vendors to chart a course to quantum safety.

The Quantum Threat
Quantum computers herald the prospect of incredible processing power, far outpacing today’s classical computers. Google’s Willow quantum chip “performed a standard benchmark computation in under five minutes that would take one of today’s fastest supercomputers 10 septillion (1025) years to complete”. To put that in perspective, this is a figure greater than the age of the universe itself. Yet chips like this are by no means the only route to achieving cryptographically relevant quantum computers (CRQCs).

However, the emergence of CRQCs will also have some problematic disruptive effects. By being able to solve the mathematical problems on which asymmetric encryption is based, CRQCs threaten to undermine digital security, identity and trust. Consider an attacker capable of cracking the cryptographically signed digital signatures that safeguard the most privileged firmware running on PCs, printers and other devices. This would open the door to a complete compromise of the device.

That’s why some of the smartest minds on the planet have collaborated to develop quantum-resistant algorithms, which they are now working to integrate into commonly used protocols and systems. It will require a monumental effort to upgrade the digital world to these new standards. But with hardware, there’s an extra hurdle for enterprises. IT leaders must start planning now to make the hardware refreshes required to support quantum resistance.

The Time is Now
Despite the long lead times involved, it would be unwise to sit back now. It is perhaps best to follow the US federal government’s lead. By 2027, the U.S. Government has committed to only procuring devices for national security systems if firmware and software are secured with quantum-resistant cryptographic code signing. NIST has also standardized a range of algorithms, including four digital signature schemes (LMS, XMSS in SP 800-208, ML-DSA in FIPS 204 and SLH-DSA in FIPS 205) and one algorithm for confidentiality (FIPS 203), with more standards in the pipeline.

Other governments also understand the urgency of the situation. The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) says that the best mitigation against the threat of quantum computers to traditional public-key cryptography is quantum-resistant cryptography. In Canada, the government advises organizations to first identify systems that need migrating, then “budget for potentially significant software and hardware updates,” and speak to vendors about their quantum resistance plans.

Planning ahead is crucial, given that enterprise printers could be deployed for as long as 20 years, and even contract sales and managed print services (MPS) agreements tend to be 3-5-year terms. The next purchase an enterprise makes will likely need to be one made with quantum resistance. The alternative is to play a dangerous game of “wait and see”.
An Orderly Transition
Organizations lulled into a false sense of security by the long timelines involved risk a chaotic dash for the finish line. It is vital organizations get on the front foot now, to future-proof regulatory compliance programs and strengthen stakeholder trust.

Here’s how to start:
First, identify the highest priority use cases and devices, such as enterprise printer and PC hardware with long-lived, non-updatable keys, such as public keys used in code signing. Next, talk to the organization’s main technology providers to understand their plans for quantum-resistant cryptography migration across relevant products. Finally, draw up a comprehensive plan for infrastructure, software and hardware upgrades, according to the appropriate timescales and enterprise risk appetite.

An orderly transition to quantum resistance will put your company on a sure footing to protect data for the long term, reassuring customers, regulators and investors. This will prevent being caught blindsided once the new quantum era begins. Because when it arrives, it could be with a bang.

News

Edo Seeks FG’s Intervention On Land Dispute With Delta

Published

7 hours ago

November 22, 2025

Editor

The Edo State Government has appealed to the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, intercede on the land dispute between the state and its neighboring Delta.

Deputy governor of the state, Hon. Dennis Idahosa made the appeal when he led a delegation comprising officials of the state government and members of the Edo State Boundary Committee on a fact finding mission to disputed communities.

A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Friday Aghedo, said the fact finding mission was part of an effort to ensure peace,

Idahosa used the avenue to appeal to President Bola Tinubu to use his good office to ensure justice, equity, and fairness prevailed in the areas in dispute.

“I passionately call on the President to use all necessary demarcation agencies to resolve these lingering issues,” he appealed.

While suing for peace from the affected communities, Idahosa noted that the state government was determined to protect the territorial dignity of Edo State and that of the people of Orhionmwon.

He pointed out that the Jameson River is a natural demarcation landmark to the disputed Ugbakele boundary Community.

While calling on the state boundary committee to be diligent in their investigation, he stressed that the outcome of the investigation will guide the recommendations of the committee to the governor.

“We decided to ask questions and the history of this area. We found out that this Jameson River is the natural boundary between Edo and Delta States.

‘You can see the previous structures of the AT&P company. This land is clearly for Edo State.

“We thank the community people and settlers. We plead they continue to maintain the peace pending the outcome of the National Boundary Commission,” he pleaded.

Earlier, Idahosa and his team interfaced with stakeholders and community leaders of Oben, Ikobi, Iguelaba, and Obozogbe-Nugu communities to verify their claims and grievances.

News

Police Arrest, Charge Content Creator To Court In Edo

Published

9 hours ago

November 22, 2025

Editor

The Edo State Police Command says it has arrested a 24-year-old content creator identified as Osarobo Omoyemen, for allegedly sharing a content on Tiktok capable of “inciting hostility against the Police and triggering unnecessary tension within the state.”

In a statement made available to newsmen in Benin on Saturday, the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, said the suspect, popularly known as ‘Madam Oil Rice,’ recently circulated a “false claim on social media alleging that she was kidnapped along Upper Sakponba Road in Benin City and later rescued by Police operatives who purportedly detained her at Akpata Police Station and collected the sum of Ten Thousand Naira as bail.”

Yamu said worried by the allegation, the command immediately commenced investigation, adding that it was revealed that the entire story was completely fabricated and deliberate.

According to the police’s imagemaker, Madam Oil Rice fabricated the story just to attract followers and viewership, stressing that she had confessed to having fabricated the story.

“During interrogation, the 24year old female suspect, Osarobo Omoyemen confessed that she staged the incident solely to generate online content and attract followers to her TikTok page.

“It was also discovered that she deleted an earlier video in which an accomplice in the background was appealing to viewers to follow her page, clearly exposing the motive behind the false alarm.

“The content was not only misleading but capable of inciting hostility against the Police and triggering unnecessary tension within the state.”

Yamu, while noting that the “suspect has been identified, arrested, and charged to court on Thursday 20th November, 2025 for prosecution, said “efforts are ongoing to arrest her accomplices to ensure they face the full weight of the law.”

The PPRO, who said Madam Oil Rice’s arrest and charge to court was aimed at serving as a “deterrent to others who may attempt to misuse social media to create panic or disrupt public peace,” said “the Edo State Police Command strongly warns against the creation and circulation of fake news capable of disturbing the peace and security of the state.”

He urged members of the public “to verify information before sharing and to refrain from acts that may mislead the public or undermine the efforts of security agencies.”

News

FULL LIST: FG Shuts 41 Unity Schools Over Insecurity

Published

16 hours ago

November 22, 2025

Editor

The Federal Government on Friday ordered the temporary closure of 41 unity schools over the rising cases of abduction across the country.

The decision was announced in a circular issued by the Director of Senior Secondary Education at the Federal Ministry of Education, Binta Abdulkadir.

“Sequel to the recent security challenges in some parts of the country and the need to prevent any security breaches, the Honourable Minister of Education has approved the immediate closure of the listed Federal Unity Colleges.

“Principals of the affected colleges are to ensure strict compliance. Please accept the warm regards of the Honourable Minister,” the circular read.

The affected schools are FGGC Minjibir; FGA Suleja; FTC Ganduje; FGGC Zaria; FTC Kafancha; FGGC Bakori; FTC Dayi; FGC Daura; FGGC Tambuwal; FSC Sokoto; FTC Wurno; FGC Gusau; FGC Anka; FGGC Gwandu; FGC Birnin Yauri; FTC Zuru; FGGC Kazaure; FGC Kiyawa; FTC Hadejia; FGGC Bida; FGC New Bussa; and FTC Kuta-Shiroro.

Others are FGC Ilorin; FGGC Omu-Aran; FTC Gwanara; FGC Ugwolawo; FGGC Kabba; FTC Ogugu; FGGC Bwari; FGC Rubochi; FGGC Abaji; FGGC Potiskum; FGC Buni Yadi; FTC Gashau; FTC Michika; FGC Ganye; FGC Azare; FTC Misau; FGGC Bajoga; FGC Billiri; and FTC Zambuk.

Recall that some students from St. Mary’s School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, were kidnapped by terrorists.

The incident comes just days after a similar attack in Maga, Kebbi State, where 25 students were kidnapped, heightening concerns over the deteriorating security situation in educational institutions across the region.

On Thursday, over 50 schools were shut down in Kwara State following attacks by bandits.

President Bola Tinubu had also cancelled his scheduled trips to South Africa and Angola to coordinate the government’s response to the worsening insecurity.