Start Planning Your Upgrade to Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC)

Imagine a world where the very foundation of your organization's cybersecurity – its cryptography – is rendered obsolete. That's the potential threat posed by quantum computing, a rapidly evolving technology with the ability to break widely used encryption standards.

As a security leader, you understand the critical role cryptography plays in safeguarding sensitive data and ensuring secure transactions. But are you prepared for the coming disruption – the "Y2Q" or "Q-day" when quantum computers become powerful enough to crack current encryption methods?

The Urgency of PQC

Encryption is crucial for protecting data because the internet is not secure, and zero-trust models assume internal systems are vulnerable too. The urgency to move to PQC comes first from the tangible threat from harvest-now-decrypt-later (HNDL) attacks, where hackers collect and hoard today’s encrypted data to decrypt it once a powerful quantum computer becomes operational. Moreover, the pace at which quantum computing is advancing brings us closer to the day when a cryptographically relevant quantum computer (CRQC) emerges, heightening this risk with each technological breakthrough. Unlike the Y2K scenario, which had a definitive deadline, the absence of a specific "Q-day" adds another layer of complexity and risk to the quantum threat. This uncertainty amplifies the urgency, as we cannot predict exactly when our encryption methods will be broken – but we know that day is coming. Hence, the shift towards PQC is imperative not merely as a future consideration but as an immediate necessity. The looming obsolescence of today’s encryption standards in the face of quantum advancements renders the protection of sensitive data against future threats an urgent and complex challenge.

Why PQC Matters for Your Organization

Here is why PQC should be on your radar:

• Protecting Sensitive Data: A data breach due to compromised cryptography can be catastrophic – damaging your reputation, leading to financial losses, and eroding customer trust.  
• Regulatory Requirements & Industry Standards: Breaches are increasingly under the microscope of industry and government regulators, with a rising risk that board members, executive staff, and security leaders could be held individually liable for failing to exercise due care in protecting customer and company data. Shifting to PQC is a necessary step to safeguard your organization from this future threat. For years, PQC guidance from authoritative bodies such as NIST, the Cloud Security Alliance, FS-ISAC, and ETSI has been clear in highlighting the risks associated with quantum computing, the complexity of transitioning to quantum-resistant cryptography, and the urgent need for organizations to begin their transition efforts.
• Staying Ahead of the Curve: For product and sales leaders, the imperative is clear: integrating quantum-safe capabilities into your offerings is not merely an enhancement—it's a fundamental requirement to ensure your customers' security in the evolving cyber landscape. Organizations that prioritize a security-first strategy, particularly in updating their cryptography to be resistant to quantum computing threats, will possess a distinct competitive advantage, marking your organization as a trusted, forward-looking partner in the eyes of your customers. This is also a requirement for vendors selling software or hardware to the U.S. Federal Government, as the Quantum Computing Cybersecurity Preparedness Act, establishes specific timelines for federal government agencies to adopt technology that will protect against quantum computing attacks.

A Roadmap to PQC Implementation

The time to act is now. Here's how to get started:

• Monitor the Threat Landscape: Stay updated on developments in quantum computing and PQC solutions.
• Assess Your Cryptographic Scope, Risk, and Transition Timeline: Initiate an organization-wide audit of cryptography usage across your infrastructure, products, and third-party vendors. This assessment should provide a comprehensive view of your cryptographic landscape, enabling you to pinpoint areas of immediate concern and develop your PQC transition plan.
• Develop a PQC Implementation Strategy: Create a detailed program for the phased transition to PQC that reflects the technical readiness of vendors, the risk to assets being protected, and the need to minimize operational impact. Establish governance, conduct a cryptographic inventory to identify upgrade priorities, and implement a detailed roadmap for transition. Include ongoing risk assessments to adjust your plans as the standards for quantum-resistant cryptography evolve.
• Educate Your Team: Equip your security team with the knowledge and expertise to navigate the transition to PQC.

By taking proactive steps today, you can ensure your organization remains resilient in the face of this emerging threat. Partner with a trusted advisor specializing in PQC solutions to develop a comprehensive implementation plan.

Don't wait for "Q-day" to arrive

The advent of quantum computing brings an urgent imperative for organizations to transition towards PQC to protect sensitive data and maintain the integrity of digital transactions in the face of potential quantum-enabled breaches. The urgency is amplified by the unpredictable nature of "Q-day" when current encryption methods could suddenly become obsolete. Transitioning to PQC is not merely a necessary protective measure but a strategic one, ensuring data security, regulatory compliance, and competitive differentiation in a market increasingly focused of cybersecurity. As the quantum computing era looms, proactive steps including assessing cryptographic vulnerabilities, developing a PQC transition plan, and enhancing team knowledge are essential.

Contact Haderaq (learn.more@haderaq.com) to explore the implications for your organization and start your PQC transition journey.