Recent news reports that Chinese researchers have broken encryption with a quantum computer have been contested as an “exaggeration” but the demonstrated advances in quantum computing brings attention to what many are predicting will become an issue within the next 5-10 years as quantum computers begin being used to break the encryption that has, up until now, kept sensitive data secure.
Encryption may delay a hacker’s access to data, but it doesn’t prevent eventual misuse. Current encryption algorithms have a limited lifespan, as advancements in computing and decryption methods continue to accelerate. This creates a significant concern known as the “expiration date of data”—the idea that sensitive information must remain secure for a specific period. However, as encryption methods age and computing power grows, data once thought to be safe may become vulnerable to decryption and exploitation. In fact, bad actors and nation-states are increasingly using “harvest now, decrypt later” strategies, capturing encrypted data with the intention of decrypting it once technology advances enough to crack it. One way they are capturing this data is through fiber optic tapping.
Tapping optical fiber has proven to be an effective and virtually undetectable method for capturing data, whether encrypted or unencrypted. Unlike other forms of data interception, tapping fiber optics leaves no audit trail, logs, or digital fingerprints for IT teams to detect, making it nearly impossible to discover the breach. This type of vulnerability is not limited to internal threats—although insider access remains a significant risk, tapping on outdoor network infrastructure can be surprisingly easy, especially when network cables are exposed in remote or accessible areas. The fact that fiber cables are often buried underground, placed in external conduits, or routed through accessible buildings means that malicious actors could potentially access these lines and intercept critical data transmissions without alerting network monitoring tools. This makes tapping an urgent and multifaceted security concern for enterprises, as both physical and personnel-based vulnerabilities need to be addressed to secure sensitive data and maintain network integrity.
This poses a critical long-term security risk, particularly as encrypted data captured today may be decrypted years from now without any indication of how, when, or by whom it was accessed. Sensitive information held by data centers, banks, governments, and financial institutions could be compromised without trace, undermining the security foundations these organizations rely on.
The VANGUARD Optical Network Security System from NIS adds a vital layer of protection by physically monitoring network infrastructure and detecting any attempt to install unauthorized data taps on the network, triggering immediate alerts that provide proactive security insights and prevent intruders from accessing your encrypted data.
While encryption is a critical component of an organization’s cybersecurity strategy, it has significant limitations that leave networks vulnerable. VANGUARD fills these gaps by protecting network infrastructure and preventing unauthorized data access, delivering a robust, sustainable defense. Investing in VANGUARD is a proactive step toward comprehensive network security. By combining VANGUARD with encryption, organizations can secure both data and physical infrastructure against a wide range of evolving threats.
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