Quantum computers are advancing fast — and soon, they’ll be powerful enough to break today’s encryption. This isn’t just a tech problem. It’s a strategic challenge that could force organizations to rethink how they protect data, systems, and trust.
Preparing for post-quantum security takes more than new tools. It requires planning, investment, and alignment across the business. That means CISOs and security leaders need to start important conversations now — especially with CFOs, CEOs, and other decision-makers who may not see the urgency yet.
The key? Communicate clearly. Explain what’s at stake without overhyping the threat or overusing jargon. Focus on risk, readiness, and long-term resilience.
Quantum computing isn’t a future problem — it’s a now problem. The organizations that start adapting today will be the ones leading tomorrow.
In this article, you will learn how to communicating the risks in a way that supports executive understanding, budget alignment, and proactive planning.
Framing the Problem: It’s a Major Governance Issue
Making the business case involves explaining the deep impact PQC will have on your organization and how it’s tied to security governance issues. Quantum computing will easily overcome current security measures. As such, your public key infrastructure (PKI) could become obsolete, and your encrypted data could be compromised.
Hackers aren’t waiting until the dawn of the quantum computing age. They’re launching harvest now, decrypt later attacks in which they steal encrypted data and store it until quantum computing matures. Just think of the consequences for the healthcare industry, government records, or industries that rely heavily on developing intellectual property. Their data, which they previously thought was safe behind the protection of encryption, could be easily revealed.
There are financial costs to these breaches, as well as the intangible cost of reputational damage.
In addition, the quantum computing era might usher in new regulatory requirements. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) PQC standardization efforts, the National Security Agency (NSA)’s Commercial National Security Algorithm (CNSA) 2.0 suite, and timelines from agencies such as the Cybersecurity Infrastructure and Security Agency (CISA) indicate a shift towards mandatory cryptoagility.
Crypto-agility refers to the capabilities you need to replace and adapt cryptographic algorithms for protocols, applications, software, hardware, and infrastructures without disrupting running systems to achieve resiliency.
Make the Message Matter: Talk Risk Avoidance
There’s a very real danger that quantum computing could thwart and evade millions of dollars in defenses. Position quantum computing as a predictable disruption, not a catastrophic unknown. Acting now enables you to avoid that threat.
You’ll also want to clarify that post-quantum security isn’t about ripping and replacing. Rather, it’s a modernization effort that requires inventory, prioritization, and planning over multiple years.
The best time to get started preparing for the quantum era was three years ago. The second-best time is now.
Quantum-Safe Security: Translating Technical Risks
To convince executives of the need to prepare for quantum computing security, connect to board priorities. This includes business continuity, reputation, compliance, and cyber resilience.
Here are four key points to bring up in discussions:
- Implementation timelines
- Data exposure
- The compliance horizon
- Cryptographic debt
#1: Implementation Timelines
Implementing quantum-safe cryptography is a long process. It could take anywhere from three to seven years to implement it across all your systems. By starting now, you’ll be better positioned to face quantum security challenges.
#2: Data Exposure
Some types of data have a long shelf life – think personally-identifiable information, healthcare information, and intellectual property. That’s why such data makes an attractive target. Even if it’s encrypted now, quantum computing will easily break the encryption. Criminals can’t read the data now, but they’re patient. They know it’s a matter of time until quantum computing advances. That’s why the harvest now, decrypt later method is so harmful – it doesn’t matter how long it takes to decrypt those kinds of data; they’ll still be valuable for years to come.
The sooner you protect this data, the better. You’ll be less vulnerable to the harvest now, decrypt later attacks that damage your reputation.
#3: The Compliance Horizon
Governments and industry standards groups recognize quantum computing threats to enterprise security. They are working to enhance compliance rules and best practices. Compliance failures risk large monetary fines as well as a potentially compromised security posture.
You want to show you’re ready for quantum security challenges by adopting advanced cryptography meant to withstand them. Avoiding large fines and public embarrassment can be a powerful argument for decision makers. By showing strong cyber governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) adherence, you’re demonstrating adherence to governance best practices.
#4: Cryptographic Debt
You’ve heard of technical debt – that’s when you ship a product that prioritizes speed over future functionality. There’s also cryptographic debt. That’s when cryptography doesn’t keep up with technological development.
Cryptographic debt leaves organizations vulnerable. Shifting towards cryptoagility means your organization is better able to defend itself against future cryptographic challenges, such as quantum computing.
Educating the Board: The True Cost of Inaction
As a CISO, you have a fiduciary duty to the company. Part of that duty is educating the board about the cost of inaction when it comes to quantum computing. There are potential legal liabilities and insurance implications if there’s a breach due to quantum computing. Even harvest now, decrypt later attacks are damaging because there’s a significant risk your encrypted data will no longer be protected.
Incremental Investments
Decision-makers will ask, “Where do we start?” Some organizations might want to go all in right away. For others, incremental investments in post-quantum migration make more sense.
Discovery and cryptographic inventory tools enable you to understand every cryptographic asset in your environment. These activities can be automated for speed, efficiency, and accuracy. Once you know what you’re working with, you can implement crypto-agility initiatives such as identifying algorithms and change management processes.
Then, you can move on to PKI modernization. Modern PKI gives you greater visibility into your cryptographic inventory for effective asset management.
PQC Resources
Quantum computing isn’t tomorrow’s problem. It’s today’s planning requirement.
You don’t need to predict a timeline for quantum computing to act; you only need to prepare for the inevitable cryptographic changes. Taking the first steps toward crypto-agility now will strengthen your security posture in the future.
Keyfactor is the #1 global leader in digital trust & quantum-safe security. Here are a few resources to help you build cryptographic inventory, enable crypto-agility, and prepare for PQC migration.
– Read the new eBook: The CISO’s Guide to Cryptographic Risk
– Flag audit risks in seconds with this cheat sheet: The CISO’s 30-Second Kickstart
– Book time to have your questions answered: Request a demo here
