Blog

In an era where artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping industries, the security stakes have never been higher. From powering predictive analytics to enhancing user experience, AI’s potential is matched only by its exposure to emerging threats. And with the accelerating rise of quantum computing, the risks now extend far beyond today’s challenges.

At RB Advisory, we understand that cybersecurity is not just about defense—it’s about foresight. In this blog, we break down the most pressing AI security risks, what quantum computing could mean for your data, and the strategies you need to prepare for the road ahead.

AI: A Double-Edged Sword

AI offers transformative benefits, but it also introduces new avenues for malicious activity. Threat actors are using AI to automate attacks, generate deepfakes, and conduct highly targeted social engineering campaigns. Vulnerabilities in AI models—from prompt injection and backdoor attacks to model theft, can be exploited to devastating effect.

Key AI Security Risks:

• Poisoning Attacks – Introducing malicious data during training.
• Prompt Injection – Manipulating input to alter model behavior.
• Data Extraction – Pulling sensitive training data from models.
• Adversarial Attacks – Misleading models with subtle data tweaks.
• Model Theft – Replicating models by querying APIs and analyzing outputs.

These risks are difficult to detect and even harder to mitigate without a strategy grounded in data protection and zero trust.

The Quantum Computing Curveball

Quantum computing, once a theoretical marvel, is rapidly becoming a practical reality. While it holds great promise for breakthroughs in science and medicine, it’s also capable of undermining the very foundation of today’s cybersecurity: encryption.

Most current cryptographic protocols rely on public key infrastructure (PKI), which quantum algorithms like Shor’s could dismantle in seconds. A successful quantum attack could:

• Compromise sensitive, long-lived data retroactively through “harvest now, decrypt later” methods.
• Invalidate digital signatures and tamper with critical systems.
• Create chaos in trust-based infrastructures—contractual, financial, and operational.

Regine Bonneau, CEO of RB Advisory, weighs in:

“AI is evolving faster than most organizations can adapt. Pair that with the quantum threat on the horizon, and it’s clear, organizations need to adopt a proactive, layered security strategy now. The future of cybersecurity is resilience, not reaction.”

Building a Future-Ready Defense

Securing AI systems against both current and quantum-era threats requires a multilayered strategy across three fronts: data, models, and access.

1. Protect Data at All Stages

• Encrypt sensitive data at rest and in transit.
• Adopt crypto-agile solutions supporting both classic and post-quantum cryptography (PQC).
• Use strong key management systems with PQC-compliant algorithms.

2. Secure AI Models

• Protect training data from unauthorized access.
• Use federated learning where possible.
• Limit access to model APIs and ensure models are hosted in secure environments.

3. Control Access and Monitor Behavior

• Enforce strict role-based access and multifactor authentication.
• Leverage behavioral analytics to monitor usage in real time.
• Maintain audit trails for all access and changes.

4. Reduce Data Risk

• Anonymize and tokenize personally identifiable information (PII).
• Minimize unnecessary data collection.
• Secure endpoints and APIs with HTTPS and input validation.

5. Prepare for the Quantum Era

• Assess current cryptographic tools for quantum resilience.
• Transition to crypto-agile solutions that support both classic and PQC.
• Monitor guidance from NIST and NSA on quantum-safe algorithms.

The Path Forward

AI and quantum computing are shaping the next decade of cybersecurity. Organizations that proactively address these dual challenges will not only stay secure, they’ll also gain a competitive edge.

At RB Advisory, we help organizations build scalable, resilient cybersecurity programs that integrate AI protection and quantum preparedness into every layer. From risk assessments and regulatory compliance to managed detection and response, we stand at the intersection of security and innovation.

Is your AI data protected from today’s risks and tomorrow’s quantum reality?

Let’s talk about how we can help you build a future-proof cybersecurity foundation.