Remember all the major disruptions over the years? The advent of client/server computing, thin clients, virtualization, everything-as-a-service, and most recently artificial intelligence (AI). Now, the early whispers of quantum computing has surfaced. These are just some of the many new technologies that managed service providers (MSPs) have had to embrace and absorb to respond to evolving market forces.
It has been difficult for MSPs to ensure that the right skills are in place and underlying platforms are set up in an optimal manner to provide the services that customers demand.
However, underlying all this is that the physical components of what is needed have stayed pretty much the same: storage, networking and central processing units (CPUs). Absorbing improvements in each of these areas has not been a massive issue. The advent of solid-state drives (SSDs) has allowed faster storage to coexist against the existing spinning hard disk drives (HDDs). New network speeds have dictated the implementation of new interface cards and, in many cases, cabling. New CPUs have required new motherboards and associated memory.
All about the evolution
The biggest move outside of this evolutionary branch has been for MSPs looking to use graphics processing units (GPUs) to carry out actions where ordinary CPUs struggle, such as where acceleration of highly parallel process workloads is required, including large scale data analytics and, latterly, AI training platforms. However, not many have gone down this route mainly because of the high cost, as much of the GPU market has been bought up by the cryptocurrency mining world.
But storm clouds are gathering on the horizon. Like many technological breakthroughs before it, something that has long felt years away from practical use may finally be crossing into reality. Quantum computing is beginning to look less like science fiction and more like a tangible force, one that could reshape our digital landscape within our lifetimes.
What does this mean for MSPs?
It is doubtful that there will be a mad rush for MSPs to lay their hands on quantum technology. It is fearsomely expensive and dependent on highly specialized environmental conditions and skills that tend to be less computer science and more like science fiction. Additionally, few companies are making quantum processing units (QPUs) available outside of their own environments.
Quantum computers measure their power in qubits, the basic compute units that determine their overall capability. IBM’s original cloud-based quantum computer was all of 5 qubits, and it was massively unstable, a major issue with quantum computers. So, after the best part of 40 years, the world had access to a few small, unpredictable and unstable quantum computers that didn’t do much.
Although some exaggerate fears that quantum computers have already cracked RSA encryption, their potential remains very real. Even basic error-corrected quantum computers could break traditional authentication methods like simple passwords and weak encryption keys.
The first quantum-powered attacks are likely to come from nation-states. MSPs serving sectors like defense, aerospace, or government must plan now for threats that may soon become reality. Once quantum capabilities hit the dark web, following the same trajectory as AI-powered phishing and ransomware, the risks will spread rapidly across the digital landscape.
Don’t wait for the quantum wave to hit
MSPs must begin exploring post-quantum cryptography (PQC)—security algorithms built to withstand attacks from quantum systems. This means:
- Understanding how to rent quantum processing power from cloud platforms.
- Leveraging event-based AI detection to flag quantum-based anomalies.
- Starting conversations with clients about what future-proofing their security really looks like.
Quantum computing may still seem distant, but like the warning in your side mirror: “Objects may be closer than they appear.” When the moment arrives, it will move fast, and unprepared MSPs will scramble.
Photo: gorodenkoff / Shutterstock
This post originally appeared on Smarter MSP.