ABSTRACT
This chapter uses the advent of quantum computing as a thought experiment to test claims about technological determination in cybersecurity. If technology determines politics, then radical changes in technical infrastructure should have important political consequences. Quantum computing is interesting in this regard because it is possible in theory to perform some mathematical operations on a quantum computer that are not practically feasible with classical computers. This could potentially put public encryption at risk, which would be a disaster for global cybersecurity. However, this deterministic perspective neglects the social factors that shape secrecy and intelligence no matter what type of technology is involved. This chapter explores the political logic, organizational implementation, and strategic context of cryptology, the contest between code makers and code breakers. Quantum computing may make this contest more complex, but its political implications are sure to be more ambiguous.
