Once quantum machines reach their full potential, they’ll be able to do in hours what would normally take years. With AI and Machine Learning already on overdrive, quantum computing will breeze through massive data sets like it is nothing.
But with great power comes great responsibility. Quantum computing could shake up IoT devices, encryption protocols, and industries that use digital products with lifespans over five years. This is because it can disrupt current cryptographic systems—the backbone of modern business operations, identity protection, and digital asset security.
And it’s not just about digital signatures. The ripple effect of quantum computing could compromise the integrity of any digitally signed data – think software updates and telemetry data, too.
That said, it’s not all doom and gloom! PQC can speed up problem-solving and optimize processes across industries. Early adopters will have a leg up, as it will help them make smarter decisions that leave competitors in the dust.
To harness quantum’s full potential, your business needs to be quantum ready. Sadly, getting quantum ready isn’t an overnight thing. Keyfactor’s State of Quantum Readiness report showed that 57% of respondents believe it’ll take 2-5 years to fully transition to PQC. The sooner you start, the better.
Here are four steps to help you get quantum ready.
#1: Strategic planning
Preparing for post-quantum is like disaster planning: you assess the risks, come up with strategies, and set up backup systems long before the storm hits.
Just like disaster planning, quantum readiness isn’t just about quick actions. It’s a mix of short-term and long-term goals.
It all starts with a solid strategic plan – a roadmap that shows how your organization can handle the future quantum impact. The World Economic Forum says the scale of the quantum threat makes it imperative that businesses start their quantum transition journey with clear goals, roles, and responsibilities, not just dive in without a series of uncoordinated actions.
A good quantum strategic plan includes the resources needed for an organization to fully transition and how to use them. Your quantum plan should map out the current systems that need a PQC update, how to handle the changes, and how to merge PQC into existing risk management procedures.
Don’t forget to add a realistic timeline for key milestones. While you’re at it, loop in the relevant stakeholders – IT, cybersecurity, policy teams, and the like. This helps keep everyone on the same page and accountable throughout the process.
At this stage, clearing up the mystery around the quantum threat is a priority. So, if you can, bring in external experts or third-party PQC strategists to give you insights, assess vulnerabilities, and suggest ways to handle them.
#2: Data and device inventory and tracking
Most organizations, especially in the private sector, have little to no visibility into all the devices connected to their networks, the security measures protecting them, or where encryption is actually being used. They also struggle to distinguish between their most vulnerable and most valuable data.
The first practical step in getting quantum-ready is creating an inventory of cryptographic assets and committing to keeping it up to date. This means:
- identifying encryption keys,
- cataloging cryptographic algorithms
- tracking connected devices (servers, IoT, medical, automotive)
- documenting communication protocols
- identifying digital certificates and their dependencies
- evaluating third-party services that handle sensitive data
Once you’ve mapped everything out, start building a centralized inventory of cryptographic assets. This isn’t just a checklist – it’s a live repository that helps you track and manage encryption across the board. If you don’t want to do this manually, you can use encryption lifecycle management tools like Keyfactor Command. These tools give you:
- real-time visibility into cryptographic assets
- automatic identification and cataloging of encryption use
- and provision of a flexible encryption framework that lets you swap out outdated algorithms for quantum-resistant ones without breaking operations or overhauling your entire infrastructure
By continuously monitoring cryptographic health, these tools also detect weak encryption, flag potential quantum threats, and streamline secure key generation, storage, rotation, and retirement. What does this mean for you? Your encryption stays strong even in a post-quantum world!
#3: Security hygiene
The next step is to tighten your security. A good way to start is by adopting a zero-trust model with PQC standards. This removes automatic trust and forces continuous verification for users, devices, and applications. It’s also smart to invest in security tools designed for PQC so you’re not playing catch-up later.
Regular security assessments are a must. They help uncover weak spots in your cryptographic infrastructure before quantum computers can exploit them. This also means mapping out data flows to pinpoint where sensitive information is most at risk and updating systems to make them PQC-resistant.
Your employees are key players in quantum readiness. Train them on PQC security, especially secure key management. But don’t stop there—get your stakeholders and investors up to speed too. When decision-makers understand the risks, you’ll have a better shot at getting PQC budgets approved and fewer objections to future-proofing your business.
And don’t just prepare…have a backup plan! Set up response protocols, data recovery strategies, and breach management plans so you’re ready to act when needed.
#4: Quantum-resistant algorithms
The next step is to roll out the three NIST-approved PQC algorithms to keep your digital assets safe from quantum attacks. If you’ve been following this guide, you should already know where encryption is used in your infrastructure (VPNs, email encryption), which cryptographic algorithms are in play (RSA, ECC, etc.), and which areas are most vulnerable to quantum threats.
Now, it’s time to pick the right quantum-resistant algorithm for each task. NIST’s three PQC algorithms are designed for different purposes. For instance, ML-KEM is best for general encryption, like securing communications, while ML-DSA is better suited for digital signatures, such as software signing and identity authentication.
Since quantum computers aren’t breaking classical encryption just yet, you should consider combining classical and post-quantum algorithms in a hybrid model. For instance, combining classical and post-quantum algorithms – like using both RSA and ML-KEM for TLS encryption – helps keep your data secure during the transition.
Implementing quantum-resistant cryptography can be complex, and most employees won’t know how to do it correctly. So consider bringing in enterprise PKI vendors like Keyfactor who have already integrated NIST’s PQC algorithms into their products. This makes quantum adoption a whole lot easier.
Next Steps: Don’t Pursue Quantum-Readiness Alone
Cybersecurity is a moving target – new risks pop up, algorithms evolve, and IT teams need to keep up. That’s why building a crypto-agile framework is a must. It lets you adapt quickly when change comes knocking. One way to stay crypto-agile is by making continuous learning part of your culture. Any quantum-related knowledge could come in handy down the line.
Remember, you don’t have to handle it on your own. Keyfactor’s PQC Lab gives you a head start with 30 days of free hands-on experience with quantum-resistant cryptographic assets, certificates, and CAs. Plus, you’ll get the chance to chat with specialists who can guide you through your quantum-readiness journey.
