Post by GlobalConnect

The healthcare challenge: How do we keep sensitive data protected for a lifetime? That was one of the key themes when GlobalConnect hosted a debate on quantum security at Folkemødet – Denmark's annual democracy festival, where politicians, businesses, public authorities, NGOs and citizens come together to discuss some of the most important issues facing society. The debate brought together perspectives from healthcare, technology and public policy, with Bettina Lundgren from the National Genome Center, Brian Holch Kristensen from Bispebjerg Hospital and our own Quantum Lead, Hans Jayatissa. While large-scale quantum computers may still be years away, health data created today may need to remain confidential for decades. The concern is that encrypted data captured today could be stored and decrypted in the future once quantum computers become powerful enough to break current encryption standards. This is why quantum security requires attention now, not when the technology arrives. Key takeaways and perspectives in the debate: - Trust is everything. Citizens must be able to trust that their most sensitive health data remains protected not only today, but throughout their lifetime. - A pragmatic approach is needed. Preparing for the quantum era must be balanced against many other priorities and investments. The challenge is to understand the risks and start making informed decisions. - Anonymisation is not enough. Even when personal identifiers are removed, data can potentially be linked with other datasets and used to re-identify individuals. Strong encryption will therefore continue to play a critical role in protecting sensitive information. - The time to start learning is now. Quantum security is not about panic. It is about building knowledge, gaining practical experience and understanding how to prepare before the threat becomes reality. At GlobalConnect, we are already gaining hands-on experience through our collaboration with the Norwegian health network, Norsk helsenett SF, where quantum-secure communications are being tested between a hospital and a data centre. Thank you to everyone who joined the discussion and contributed with questions, perspectives and insights - and for skilfull moderation of the debate by Jens Klarskov, who challenged the panel and helped connect perspectives.