In response to the rapid advancement of quantum computing technology—which is expected to have significant implications for future cybersecurity—PT Telkom Indonesia (Persero) Tbk (Telkom) hosted a Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) Workshop in Malang in early July 2026, serving as a national collaborative forum. This initiative acts as a bridge connecting the government, industry, academia, research institutions, and national strategic sectors to bolster Indonesia's readiness in addressing future digital security challenges.
As quantum computing technology evolves, nations worldwide are beginning to take anticipatory measures to tackle emerging cybersecurity challenges. Although current quantum computers do not yet pose a threat to widely used cryptographic systems, the technology has the potential to compromise the security of public-key cryptographic algorithms—such as RSA and Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC)—which underpin a wide range of digital services, including digital identities, electronic certificates, and secure transactions and communications. Consequently, the transition to Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) represents a strategic step toward ensuring the long-term security of digital infrastructure.
Speakers presenting and sharing their perspectives at the workshop included Edwin Hidayat Abdullah, Director General of Digital Ecosystems at the Ministry of Communication and Digital; Giyanto Awan Sularso, Director of Cybersecurity and Cryptography Technology Policy at the National Cyber and Crypto Agency (BSSN); Ricardo Irwan Rei, Managing Director of Strategic Technology Initiatives at BPI Danantara; and Seno Soemadji, Director of Strategic Business Development & Portfolio at Telkom.
The workshop also featured experts from various institutions—such as Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS), Telkom University, the Republic of Indonesia Defense University, IBM, the Financial Services Authority (OJK), Peruri, BSSN, and Universitas Brawijaya—who presented on technological advancements, research findings, and the initial implementation of Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) across various sectors.
Furthermore, the workshop served as a platform to build a shared understanding regarding the importance of preparing for the transition to cryptographic technologies designed to counter potential threats arising from the advancement of quantum computing. Through this forum, stakeholders discussed the challenges, opportunities, and strategic steps toward creating a digital ecosystem in Indonesia that is more secure, resilient, and competitive.
Edwin Hidayat Abdullah, Director General of Digital Ecosystems at the Ministry of Communication and Digital, emphasized the importance of enhancing understanding regarding Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC), particularly among regulators and industry players. He noted that the current challenge lies not only in developing the technology itself but also in translating concepts currently evolving within academia into policies, standards, and implementation strategies that can be widely adopted.
From the perspective of national cybersecurity, Giyanto Awan Sularso—Director of Cybersecurity and Cryptography Technology Policy at the National Cyber and Crypto Agency (BSSN)—asserted that preparing for potential threats to cryptographic systems in the quantum computing era requires a phased approach. This involves mapping current cryptographic usage, conducting risk assessments, and formulating a migration roadmap toward systems resilient against quantum threats. BSSN has prepared a phased migration framework for PQC, encompassing steps such as inventorying cryptographic assets, risk assessment, priority setting, migration planning and execution, as well as monitoring and evaluation. This approach aims to ensure that the migration process across ministries, government agencies, state-owned enterprises (BUMN), and strategic sectors is carried out in a measured and secure manner, aligned with the evolution of national and international standards.
Meanwhile, Seno Soemadji, Director of Strategic Business Development & Portfolio at Telkom, stated that digital transformation must always go hand-in-hand with digital security transformation. He observed that as the level of digitalization rises, so does the need to build a security foundation capable of anticipating future threats.
“Post-Quantum Cryptography is not merely a technological issue; it is a component of national readiness to safeguard trust in Indonesia’s digital ecosystem. Therefore, Telkom is hosting this workshop to foster cross-ecosystem collaboration, enabling the government, state-owned enterprises (BUMN), industry players, academia, and all stakeholders to begin preparing joint measures immediately,” concluded Seno.
Seno added that preparing for the quantum era cannot be approached in a piecemeal fashion. Strong synergy is required across the board—spanning standards, talent development, research, and implementation—to ensure Indonesia possesses increasingly independent capabilities in securing data and national digital infrastructure.
In addition to discussing advancements in quantum computing technology and PQC implementation, the workshop showcased various research findings and implementation demonstrations from both academia and industry. Discussions covered topics ranging from the development of Quantum-Safe QRIS and quantum computing application simulations to the implementation of hybrid cryptography for digital identities, electronic certificates, and secure communications.
The forum also produced a number of recommendations to strengthen the readiness of the national ecosystem, including the formulation of a national roadmap for the transition to Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC), the identification of priority use cases for initial implementation, the development of pilot projects, and the enhancement of research collaboration and talent development. Areas identified as having potential for initial implementation include the protection of
digital communications, financial services, digital identity, cloud services, cybersecurity, Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), Hardware Security Modules (HSMs), as well as public service systems and strategic digital infrastructure.
As part of its commitment to strengthening the national digital ecosystem, Telkom continues to orchestrate cross-sector collaboration to build the foundation of Indonesia's digital security. Through this synergy, Telkom fosters a digital ecosystem that is increasingly resilient, trustworthy, and prepared to face digital security challenges in the quantum computing era, thereby supporting sustainable national digital transformation.
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