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      Quantum computing is rapidly shifting from a research topic to a strategic business priority.

      By leveraging quantum mechanics, quantum computers offer unparalleled computational power that enables new levels of performance in data processing, machine learning, and optimization. They also threaten encryption methods that are widely used today.

      Organizations working with sensitive data, complex simulations, or high-performance applications must act now to stay ahead. KPMG Switzerland supports clients on their journey toward quantum readiness, combining regulatory insight, technical depth, and business strategy.

      Sébastien Loesch
      Sébastien Loesch

      Partner, Life Actuarial & Insurance Risk

      KPMG Switzerland

      Participate in our brief 5-10 minute survey to share your Swiss business's quantum computing activities, challenges, and visions.

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      What is Quantum Computing and why does it matter today?

      From Science Fiction to Business Reality

      Quantum computers harness the laws of quantum physics and quantum mechanics – specifically superposition and entanglement – to perform calculations beyond the reach of classical systems. Instead of bits (0 or 1), they use qubits, which can be in superpositions of 0 and 1 and, in combination with other qubits, represent multiple computational states simultaneously. This allows for exponential parallelism in solving certain classes of problems.

      For example, a quantum computer with 300 qubits will allow for calculations involving 2300 computational states at once, which is far beyond the number of atoms in the universe.  

      Quantum Computers and GPUs

      Quantum Computers and GPUs

      Threats, Opportunities and Applications of the Unprecedented Rise in Computational Power
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      How quantum differs from classical computing with CPUs and GPUs

      Technology

      Approach

      		Strengths

      CPU
      Central Processing Unit 

      Binary, sequential

      		General-purpose sequential tasks

      GPU
      Graphics Processing Unit

      Parallel processing with thousands of cores

      		High-throughput applications in artificial intelligence, simulations, graphics, etc., where the same operation is applied to many data elements

      QPU
      Quantum Processing Unit

      Quantum parallelism with qubits

      		Breakthrough capabilities in areas such as machine learning, optimization, and simulation, but also unprecedented power for decryption

       

      Quantum systems don’t replace GPUs or CPUs, they complement them in hybrid quantum-classical computing models.
       

      How Quantum Computing and GPU acceleration complement each other

      Use Cases for GPU-Accelerated Computing


      GPU computing remains essential for, e.g., deep learning, simulation, and rendering – handling massive parallel workloads efficiently.

      It is particularly attractive for tasks of SIMD type (single instruction, multiple data), thanks to the highly parallel GPU architecture with large numbers of cores. 
       

      Hybrid quantum-classical approaches


      Rather than replacing existing systems, quantum computing will work alongside classical computing with CPUs and GPUs.

      Hybrid architectures unlock new frontiers in high-performance computing and can accelerate solutions across a wide range of industries such as automotive, healthcare, and finance.

      Key opportunities and risks of Quantum Computing for businesses

      • Industry use cases

        Early adopters across sectors are exploring quantum solutions. For example:
         

        • Finance: Risk modeling, fraud detection, asset pricing, portfolio optimization
           
        • Pharmaceuticals: Protein folding, molecular modeling and simulation, drug discovery
           
        • Manufacturing and Supply Chain: Predictive maintenance, production planning, job scheduling, route optimization
           
        • Telecommunications: Network optimization, antenna placement
           
        • Energy: Grid management, materials discovery, energy trading
      • Quantum-driven acceleration and optimization

        With quantum machine learning, businesses can unlock advanced capabilities in AI, such as improvements in pattern recognition, anomaly detection, and classification, or reductions in training data requirements.

        Quantum-enhanced algorithms can provide opportunities to solve complex optimization problems much faster and better than traditional methods.

      • Security threats – “Harvest now, decrypt later”

        Quantum computers pose a major threat to traditional encryption systems. Sensitive data may be harvested today and decrypted as soon as sufficiently powerful (cryptographically relevant) quantum computers are available.

        Adopting quantum-resilient encryption and cryptographic agility ensures long-term data protection, trust and compliance. To further mitigate risks, several organizations combine post-quantum cryptography with quantum key distribution in their strategies toward quantum-safe security.  

      Why acting now is critical

      Global quantum race and investments

      Governments and enterprises are investing billions into quantum computing, accelerating innovation across the global ecosystem.

      Leading vendors are scaling quantum computers from research prototypes to production-ready infrastructure. Rapid progress has also been made in quantum error correction and the development of quantum algorithms.  
       

      Regulatory Developments and Data Sovereignty

      Increasing emphasis on cybersecurity, digital trust, and compliance frameworks is driving demand for quantum-safe infrastructures.

      The ability to secure long-lived, sensitive data across borders requires action today. According to EU guidelines (June 2025), for example, the transition to post-quantum cryptography must be completed by the end of 2030 for all high-risk use cases. 

      Preparing for post-quantum cryptography

      KPMG supports clients in navigating the transition toward quantum-safe security, with specific focus on post-quantum cryptography, risk and readiness assessments, quantum key distribution, cryptographic agility, and resilience against “harvest now, decrypt later” threats. Our clients greatly benefit from KPMG’s recognized excellence in public key infrastructure (PKI) and data protection.

      Quantum Computer Technologies: an overview of architectures

      Different quantum architectures offer different strengths – and understanding these is critical for strategy, vendor selection, and roadmap planning. For example: 

      • Superconducting qubits

        Used by IBM, Google, Rigetti, and others; leverage Josephson junctions (see also Nobel Prize in Physics 1973 and 2025) and are among the leading qubit technologies in the present era of noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) computing

      • Trapped ions

        High precision with very long coherence times; quantum processing units with all-to-all qubit connectivity available; provided by companies such as IonQ and Quantinuum  

      • Quantum annealing

        Specialized systems for optimization, as provided by D-Wave using superconducting qubits; quantum annealers operate very differently to gate-based (universal) quantum computers 

      • Spin qubits

        Compact, fast, and highly scalable; based on electron or hole spins in semiconductor quantum dots (typically silicon or germanium) or donor atoms in silicon; used by Intel, Quantum Motion, Diraq, Silicon Quantum Computing, etc., and a focus technology of the Swiss center of competence NCCR SPIN

      • Photonic quantum computing

        Uses qubits based on photons, i.e., particles of light, and can operate at room temperature; companies include PsiQuantum, Xanadu, Quandela, and others; photons can also serve as flying qubits in quantum communication applications

      • Neutral atoms

        Promising for scalability using optical tweezers, with large qubit arrays trapped and controlled in optical lattices; developed by companies like QuEra, Pasqal, and Atom Computing

      • Quantum-inspired tools

        Special-purpose systems based entirely on classical (non-quantum) hardware, adopting ideas from quantum physics and quantum computing to enhance performance; a prominent example is the digital annealer developed by Fujitsu   


      Selecting the right approach and best-suited qubit platforms requires aligning business objectives with technological capabilities. 

      Getting quantum ready – KPMG’s approach

      • Quantum readiness assessments

        We help evaluate your current state, risks, and opportunities – identifying no-regret moves to initiate your quantum journey today. Our multidisciplinary team combines deep expertise across various domains including business, quantum technologies, cybersecurity, data protection, IT, regulations, etc., to best support your organization.

      • Innovation sessions and tailored workshops

        Customized sessions provide you with state-of-the-art insights and practical expertise to help your company stay ahead in your industry. Our KPMG Ignition services and capabilities further accelerate your transformation journey. 

      • Use case development and implementation

        We provide proofs of concept and unlock business-relevant quantum use cases by leveraging our extensive experience across industries, quantum algorithm design and quantum machine learning.

      • Roadmaps and guidance toward quantum-safe security

        We provide cryptographic inventories, risk assessments, and practical roadmaps to enable cryptographic agility and efficient migration to post-quantum cryptography to protect your critical systems. We also analyze and develop strategies that include quantum key distribution for further risk mitigation. 

      • Access to KPMG Network

        Throughout our services, you benefit from our national and international network of quantum and industry experts and our established technology partnerships. KPMG serves as your trusted partner in the dynamically evolving quantum ecosystem. 

      FAQs

      Quantum computing is based on the behavior of particles at the quantum level.

      Using qubits that can exist in a superposition of multiple states, it enables powerful parallel computations and can solve complex problems far beyond the reach of classical computers.

      Quantum computers are available through specialized vendors, often via cloud access. Direct purchase is rare and requires extreme conditions (e.g., near-zero temperatures) and expertise.

      Following groundbreaking quantum algorithms proposed in the 1990s, such as those by Deutsch and Jozsa (early example of an exponential speedup), Shor (factoring integers, finding discrete logarithms), and Grover (quadratic speedup for unstructured search), various powerful quantum algorithms have been developed during the past decades.

      Quantum computers have the potential to solve challenging optimization and simulation problems, such as modeling molecules, and to tackle cryptographic problems that are currently intractable, such as breaking widely used public-key encryption schemes (e.g., RSA, ECC).

      No. Quantum and GPU computing address different problem types and are often combined in hybrid systems to maximize performance.

      The platforms of leading companies each offer distinct strengths, depending on their approach (annealing or gate-based quantum computing), qubit types (superconducting qubits, trapped ions, photons, etc.), and metrics like fidelity, qubit count, and connectivity.

      As a result, the answer to which quantum computer is best depends strongly on the specific case and application being considered. 

      Many architectures, especially those using superconducting qubits and Josephson junctions, require near-absolute-zero temperatures to reduce noise and maintain quantum coherence.

      Ready for quantum? Build your competitive edge today

      Quantum computing is no longer a future – it's today's frontier.

      Discover how your business can thrive in a post-quantum world by exploring secure, scalable, and value-driven quantum solutions with KPMG.

      Meet our experts

      Sébastien Loesch
      Sébastien Loesch

      Partner, Life Actuarial & Insurance Risk

      KPMG Switzerland

      Yves Bohren
      Yves Bohren

      Partner, Cyber & Digital Risk

      KPMG Switzerland

      Dr. Christoph Kloeffel
      Dr. Christoph Kloeffel

      Quantum Technology Lead

      KPMG Switzerland

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