R ather than waiting for quantum computing to fully mature, enterprises should concentrate on testing the technology and becoming ready as soon as possible. We have already reviewed how they should get ready for the downsides of quantum computing security risks by creating a strategy to update their encryption schemes.
Abstract With the rise of cryptographically relevant quantum computers on the horizon, companies need to start planning for quantum readiness. The relevant threats and a rough timeline of when they become real must be known. Notably, even encrypted data transmitted today may be at risk if it is stored and decrypted later, once a quantum computer becomes available. A first step on the journey toward quantum-safety is to build a cryptographic inventory and rate data assets according to risks imposed by quantum computers. Among other measures, companies must aim at cryptographic agility—in their networks, their software, and their supply chain.
Setting out a path to use quantum computing within a company is not as straightforward as the implementation of classical ICT-projects. The technology is fundamentally different and not mature yet, which makes the development and use uncertain, non-linear and more complex. Being also a potential disruptive technology makes it for a company important to be aware of the possible business value generated by using quantum computing and be prepared for taking this technology in production. In this article we present Quantum Organisational Readiness Levels to determine the degree of readiness for implementation of quantum computing.
Quantum computing is no longer a distant concern for cybersecurity planning. Its progress has raised serious questions about the long-term reliability of widely used public-key cryptographic systems, especially RSA, elliptic curve cryptography, and related key exchange mechanisms that currently protect digital communication, cloud services, financial transactions, government systems, and enterprise information assets. The main concern is that powerful quantum algorithms could weaken the mathematical assumptions on which these systems depend, creating future risks for encrypted data, digital signatures, identity systems, and secure network protocols (Shor, 1994; Mosca, 2018). Post-quantum cryptography has therefore become a major cybersecurity readiness priority, not only as a technical replacement for vulnerable algorithms, but as a broader organizational migration challenge. Effective preparation requires cryptographic asset inventory, risk classification, crypto-agility, vendor coordination, interoperability testing, and phased deployment across complex information systems (Kumar, 2022; Campbell, 2025). This article examines the cybersecurity implications of quantum computing and reviews the major post-quantum cryptographic algorithm families, current standardization efforts, enterprise migration barriers, and strategic readiness measures needed for the quantum computing era. It also discusses the importance of aligning post-quantum migration with existing cybersecurity governance, information systems management, and long-term digital resilience planning. By emphasizing early preparation, structured migration, and continuous cryptographic governance, the article argues that organizations can reduce future quantum-related exposure and strengthen the security of critical digital infrastructure before large-scale quantum attacks become practical (NIST, 2024; NCCoE, 2025).
Quantum computing is becoming operationally relevant, presenting latent risks and opportunities for enterprise organisations. The timetable for large-scale quantum advantage is uncertain, yet cybersecurity, compliance, systems architecture and innovation are increasingly becoming evident. Data protected under current encryption standards may become vulnerable to quantum-enabled decryption, and regulatory expectations are beginning to reflect long-term cryptographic risks. This white paper defines quantum readiness as a strategic enterprise discipline focused on assessing exposure, preparing internal capabilities, and enabling structured engagement. It defines six capability domains where investment is required: cryptographic transition, workforce development, governance alignment, compliance frameworks, innovation acceleration, and ecosystem partnerships. Each domain is a lever for managing risk and enabling future participation in quantum-related developments. A phased implementation path is proposed based on three stages: Assess, Strategise and Operationalise. This model enables organisations to initiate internal diagnostics and planning, followed by capability building, pilot activity, and integration into governance structures. The approach supports proportional investment while maintaining flexibility in response to emerging technological and regulatory signals. Rather than requiring immediate adoption of quantum technologies, quantum readiness calls for precise planning, institutional awareness, and measured progression. To be better positioned to manage disruption and capture future value as the technology matures, enterprise leaders must act early to define their posture and build foundational capability.
Abstract Classical computing architectures cannot reasonably solve computationally challenging problems, such as those of RSA public-key encryption, Diffie-Hellman key exchange, and elliptic curve cryptography, which form the cryptographic foundations of modern enterprise information security. Superposition and entanglement phenomena can be used to make quantum computers efficient in solving these problems, which are efficiently solved by Shor's algorithm and Grover's algorithm, and make existing cryptographic infrastructure entirely insecure. While quantum computing is fault-tolerant and still under development, the 'harvest now, decrypt later' threat model by which adversaries can harvest encrypted data now to be decrypted later when they can operate quantum systems signals that the cryptographic threat is present, not future. The objective of this study is to examine the current state of enterprise cryptographic readiness against threats in the quantum era and to create a model for organizational transition to the new cryptographic standards in the quantum era, which is called the Quantum-Resilient Security Architecture (QRSA) Framework. It uses a mixed-methods research methodology, consisting of a systematic literature review, an expert Delphi survey of 38 cybersecurity practitioners from 16 countries, and a qualitative analysis of five enterprise organizations, to examine the state of quantum-capable cryptographic protocols, the readiness of organizations in the technical, governance and capability aspects, and the most important enablers and blockers for the post-quantum migration. The key findings include that: 94 percent of enterprise systems assessed are today still using quantum-vulnerable cryptographic primitives; less than 12 percent of organizations surveyed have started formal planning efforts for quantum migration; and, in most of the cases analyzed, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) post-quantum cryptography standardization process has not made significant impacts on enterprise security roadmaps. The QRSA Framework offers a staged migration architecture based on the NIST standardized algorithms such as CRYSTALS-Kyber, CRYSTALS-Dilithium and SPHINCS+ that integrates with the enterprise security infrastructure. Contributions include cybersecurity governance scholarship, enterprise risk management theory, and information security policy.