For many, quantum computing looks futuristic, and the quantum threats are like movie concepts. But there are many cybercriminals honing their weapons by harvesting data and preparing for attacks using quantum computers. The cybercriminals will be able to decrypt today’s secure locks with ease once they achieve all the required data and acquire quantum technology.

Global standards are evolving, and governments are mandating quantum readiness by the early 2020s, and you should take strategic and proactive steps to tackle the incoming cyberattacks. 

The abovementioned developments are the indicators for the enterprises to ready themselves and transform to post-quantum cryptography (PQC) to ensure long-term data protection and regulatory compliance.

Understanding the Urgency

• Future-Proofing Security: Quantum computers will break RSA and ECC algorithms, and it will risk years of communication and stored data.
• Harvest-Now, Decrypt-Later Attacks: Many malicious actors are just collecting the data and waiting for the quantum power to mature for a full-blown attack.
• Imminent Deadlines: International Standards bodies and regulators are recommending 2030 as the deadline to fully migrate to quantum-resistant cryptography.

All these are indications to start the transformation of your organization’s online security systems. Now, we need to set up security at the quantum level, and the days of a simple firewall are gone.

It is true that firewalls and traditional security systems can prevent cyberattacks and can also protect your data, but once quantum computing matures and is ready with its full potential, there is going to be a long series of cyberattacks on institutions, business organizations, government systems, etc. And when that happens, you need solid quantum-resistant cryptography. This blog lists the necessary steps to be taken by all organizations for a better and safer business process.

Below are the steps you need to follow to implement successful quantum-resistant cryptography.

1. Form a Quantum-Readiness Task Force

Inclusive Strategy: You have to involve IT, information security, legal, procurement, and executive management. PQC is equivalent to the marriage of business and technology challenges.

Executive Sponsorship: Make sure that your leadership understands strategic risks and allocates the required resources.

2. Inventory and Assess Cryptographic Assets

Discovery: Autonomous tools are here for your help. Use those tools to locate every instance of cryptography (in software, service, hardware, IoT devices, APIs, and data stores).

Lifecycle Mapping: You can trace the certificate and key usage and identify who owns assets and how they are managed.

Privatization: Rank data systems by their sensitivity, retention needs, and impact of decryption in the future.

3. Evaluate and Prepare the Supply Chain

Cryptographic Roadmaps: You need to invoke clear plans for quantum-resistant cryptography from all third-party technology and service providers.

Contractual Updates: While signing the agreement with vendors, include the requirements for quantum-resistant cryptography and crypto agility.

End-to-End Analysis: Scrutinize the cryptographic postures of all of your critical suppliers.

4. Architect for Crypto-Agility

Separation of Duties: Here, you design systems where cryptographic mechanisms can be updated independently of business logic.

Use Abstraction Layers: Try to implement standardized APIs middleware so that you can easily switch cryptographic algorithms as standards develop.

Automated Lifecycle Tools: You need to employ platforms that automate certificate and key management, especially as updates increase in pace and volume.

Hybrid Approaches: As your PQC matures, temporarily use both traditional and quantum-safe algorithms to ensure continuity and compatibility during the transition.

5. Monitor and Implement Standards

Track Algorithm Development: You need to follow major standards organizations for finalizing quantum-resistant algorithms. For example, those based on lattice or hash-based cryptography.

Deploy only Validated Solutions: First, test operational algorithms internally, then move to production when standards are finalized and validated for real-world use.

Timeline Awareness: Plan your major updates as per the international milestones. For example, inventory and pilot by the late 2020s, phased upgrades into the early 2030s, and full migration by 2055 (though it is suggested that you fully migrate possibly by 2030).

6. Digital Signature and Document Readiness

Signature Auditing: You need to catalog all digitally signed assets and prioritize those needing long-term validity. For example, contracts and legal records.

Quantum-Safe Upgrades: Shift to signature standards that are quantum-resistant. This way, you get the system that uses robust timestamping to preserve verification into the future.

Migration for Legacy Data: You can use umbrella quantum-resistant signatures on a portfolio of older documents. This way, you can also plan regular renewal of timestamps to extend your cryptographic validity.

7. Manage Organizational and Technical Hurdles

Resource Allocation: Anticipate the need for infrastructure expansion and personnel recruitment, particularly key management and PKI.

Legacy and IoT Data: Devise the mitigation plans for devices that you can’t upgrade. For example, isolation and compensation controls.

Education: Train your teams on PQC developments, migration methodologies, and the evolving threat landscape.

Continuous Scanning: You need to automate the detection of vulnerable or outdated cryptography to support ongoing risk management.

8. Pilot, Test, and Upgrade in Phases

Controlled Pilots: Evaluating your new PQC algorithms in a test environment is a priority. Test them with representative data and system loads.

Performance and Compatibility Assessment: Monitor performance impacts and interoperability. You need to check the security of quantum-safe solutions in organizational workflows.

Iterative Rollouts: Use the phased upgrade as it needs to be at the beginning with non-critical systems, so the lessons learnt can inform broader development.

9. Monitor Ongoing Oversight

Update Inventories Regularly: It is necessary to do continuous mapping of cryptographic assets and risks as systems and standards are evolving to the next stage at any given period of time.

Review and Adapt Migration Plans: It is very important that you keep your migration roadmaps flexible and adjust them as needed for the new standards, threats, and the arising of any other business needs.

Collaborate Externally: You need to participate in industry forums and share your knowledge. Monitor your peers’ best practices for PQC readiness.

10. PQC Preparedness Checklist

• Map and inventory all cryptographic assets you have. Also inventory the data classified by risk and retention.
• Secure leadership buy-in and appropriate funding.
• Require quantum-resilient cryptography and agility from suppliers in contracts. It is a must for your overall safety.
• Architect systems for easy cryptographic updates and separate cryptographic logic from business logic.
• Automate lifecycle and staged PQC deployment in test environments.
• Upgrade digital signature processes to quantum-resistant standards.
• Monitor evolving regulatory deadlines and industry standards.
• Train staff and scan systems for emerging vulnerabilities.

11. Conclusion

All you need for the future of quantum technology is a proactive, structured preparation for post-quantum cryptography at an enterprise-wide level. By inventorying digital assets and ensuring crypto-agility, and finally piloting new solutions with continuous monitoring standards and threats, you can secure your organizational data. Organizations can also maintain trust and brand image by mitigating these risks. Start your quantum-ready transformation today to protect your organizational future.

12. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What do you mean by  post-quantum cryptography (PQC)?

PQC is the cryptographic method designed to resist attacks from both classical and quantum computers. It has become a necessary online security measure to mitigate the new-age cyberattacks. 

2. Why should enterprises act now on PQC?

The scenario in the digital world has changed. Attackers can now collect encrypted data today and decrypt it later with quantum computers. So early preparation will protect long-term data. 

3. What is the first step for PQC readiness?

The first step towards PQC readiness is inventorying all systems and data where cryptography is used, and an assessment of risks is possible. 

4. Is it necessary to upgrade all systems at once?

It is not necessary, as you can start with high-risk and critical systems. Then, you can roll out upgrades in phases as new standards emerge.