Preparing for the Quantum Era: How Companies Should Rethink Cybersecurity
The quantum computing era, although not yet fully realized, is already influencing how organizations should think about security. In this article, I explore the threats that quantum technologies pose to businesses, who will be affected, and what can be done today to prepare for the future.
Quantum Threats on the Horizon
Breaking the Foundations of Modern Cryptography
The most critical threat posed by quantum computers is their potential to break the cryptographic algorithms that currently protect our digital world.
Shor’s algorithm allows efficient factorization of large numbers and solving of discrete logarithm problems — the mathematical foundations of RSA and Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC).
At the same time, Grover’s algorithm can accelerate brute-force attacks against symmetric encryption (such as AES), effectively reducing key strength.
In practical terms, this means that data encrypted today could be stored and decrypted later, once a powerful enough quantum computer becomes available — a threat known as “harvest now, decrypt later”
Sectoral and Operational Consequences
Quantum risk doesn’t just affect data encryption — it extends to key exchange, digital signatures, and authentication systems. According to Deloitte, more than half of organizations are already assessing their “quantum exposure,” and 30% have begun active mitigation efforts.
Industries like energy, finance, healthcare, and transportation are especially vulnerable, since their systems and data must remain secure for decades. Many organizations still lack a strategy for quantum risk — over 50% have not yet incorporated it into their risk management frameworks.
“Q-Day” and the Time Factor
No one knows the exact date when a cryptographically relevant quantum computer (CRQC) will exist, but the threat is already here. Attackers may be collecting data today to decrypt it in the future — a ticking time bomb that grows more dangerous each year.
Who Will Be Affected
Although discussions often focus on large corporations and government institutions, every business is potentially at risk.
Firms handling sensitive data (legal, healthcare, finance) — because their data remains valuable for many years.
IT and software providers — since products they build today may be used in the quantum era.
Regulated industries — such as payment services and banking, which require long-term data protection.
Companies with proprietary or strategic information — even if attackers can’t decrypt it today, they may collect it to decrypt later.
In short: any organization that relies on public key cryptography or stores data with long-term confidentiality requirements should start planning now.
What Companies Can Do Today
1. Assess and Inventory
Identify all systems that use public key cryptography — TLS/SSL, VPNs, code signing, encrypted databases. Fewer than one-third of companies have full visibility into their cryptographic assets.
Determine which stored data could be valuable enough to target for future decryption.
Review dependencies: suppliers, cloud services, and third-party libraries using cryptographic primitives.
2. Plan the Transformation
Use publicly available tools and frameworks such as Deloitte’s and the World Economic Forum’s Quantum Readiness Toolkit.
Develop a roadmap toward post-quantum cryptography (PQC): choose migration paths, budgets, and priorities.
Adopt architectures that allow hybrid or “quantum-ready” cryptography — combining classical and quantum-resistant algorithms.
3. Implement and Monitor
Strengthen current cryptography (e.g., use AES-256 over AES-128) and prepare for PQC integration.
Conduct cryptographic audits and ask vendors about their quantum migration plans.
Educate staff and leadership about quantum risk and cryptographic modernization.
Track NIST’s ongoing PQC standardization process and adapt policies accordingly.
Looking Ahead
Organizations that act early will avoid the panic of a sudden cryptographic crisis. Preparedness will become a mark of trust — partners and clients increasingly expect transparency around quantum readiness.
At the same time, realism is key: the quantum threat is not immediate, but inevitable. A strategic, phased approach is far better than waiting until the problem becomes urgent.
Summary
Quantum computing poses real risks to modern cybersecurity — from the potential breaking of RSA and ECC to the long-term exposure of encrypted data.
Companies should start preparing now: inventory their cryptographic assets, plan their migration to PQC, and follow emerging standards.
If your company handles sensitive information, operates in a regulated sector, or relies on digital trust — quantum readiness isn’t science fiction. It’s part of your security strategy for the next decade.
