Communicating Quantum Risks Effectively to the Board

Introduction

For years, quantum computing was seen as a distant innovation, not ready for a real-world impact. Today, that assumption no longer holds. Quantum technology is still largely in R&D, but key components such as small-scale systems and validated prototypes have advanced well beyond theoretical concepts. While cryptographically relevant quantum computers (CRQCs) capable of breaking today’s encryption do not yet exist, many experts anticipate their eventual arrival, even if timelines vary widely. When they do emerge, the impact on digital security will be severe and long-lasting.

Quantum readiness is no longer just a technical issue; rather, it’s a strategic business priority. Quantum-vulnerable systems directly affect regulatory compliance, long-term data confidentiality, third-party risk, digital trust, and the continuity of core business operations. Preparing for the quantum era requires planning, investment, and coordination across the entire organization. This is a board-level challenge that demands attention today to avoid future regulatory, operational, and reputational damage.

For CISOs, CIOs, and other security leaders, the task is to make the quantum threat understandable and measurable as a business risk. This means translating technical exposure into clear metrics such as the percentage of keys and certificates still using at-risk algorithms (RSA, ECDSA), the volume or sensitivity of data vulnerable to “harvest-now, decrypt-later” attacks, the number of third-party vendors or integrations relying on non-quantum-safe cryptography, and the estimated cost and time required to migrate critical systems. These quantitative indicators help leaders evaluate impact, prioritize remediation, and secure executive alignment for PQC investments.

This blog will help you frame quantum security as a strategic governance issue, what’s at stake if action is delayed, and how to plan a smooth, long-term transition to Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC).

Decoding the Quantum Threat

To effectively communicate the need for action, we must clearly define the quantum security threat. The encryption methods that protect your data, transactions, and communications today, such as RSA and Diffie-Hellman, won’t stand up to quantum attacks. Shor’s algorithm can efficiently break these widely used public-key systems once a CRQC becomes available. In contrast, symmetric cryptography is more resilient. They face a more limited threat from Grover’s algorithm, which reduces their effective key strength by roughly half and can be countered by increasing key lengths.

Your organization’s encryption keys, digital certificates, and entire Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), along with any systems or data that rely on them, may become vulnerable as quantum-capable adversaries emerge. The level of exposure varies as some algorithms and key lengths face significant quantum risk (e.g., RSA and ECDSA), while others are less affected. Not all encrypted data is equally at risk; the impact depends on factors such as algorithm strength, key size, data sensitivity, encryption longevity, and where keys are stored.

This brings us back to a growing concern known as “harvest now, decrypt later” (HNDL). Cybercriminals are already stealing encrypted data today, knowing that once quantum computers mature, they’ll be able to decrypt it. Data such as personal information, medical records, intellectual property, and financial details are the prime targets.

Consider the consequences for your organization’s “crown jewels”. These are the critical assets that define your business, such as intellectual property (IP), financial information, personally identifiable information (PII), patient records, or government records. Such sensitive data has a long shelf life, making it a target for cybercriminals. If you fail to upgrade to PQC, you expose these core assets to future decryption, putting your business at a severe disadvantage against competitors who prioritize crypto-agility.

Why Positioning Quantum Risk as Predictable is Key?

When addressing senior leaders, it’s important to avoid fear-based or “science fiction” comparisons, such as claiming that quantum computers will break all encryption overnight or that attackers will instantly read everyone’s data, because these exaggerations make the message less credible. While the risks are real, relying on fear alone rarely drives action. Instead, quantum computing should be presented as a predictable change, not because we know the exact timeline, but because the risks, affected algorithms, and required countermeasures are already well understood.

For example, we already know which algorithms will break (RSA, DSA, ECDSA, classical Diffie–Hellman) and which PQC replacements will be needed (ML-DSA, ML-KEM). Security professionals can also track concrete metrics such as how many certificates and systems still use vulnerable algorithms, how long-lived sensitive data is exposed to quantum attacks, how many vendors lack PQC support, and how long major platforms rotate keys or roll out hybrid algorithms across their infrastructure.

The move to PQC should be framed as a modernization effort because it updates the entire cryptographic lifecycle from algorithms and certificates to protocols, key management, and operational processes. This isn’t just a technical swap; it’s a multi-year transformation. Migrating to PQC typically takes 3–7 years, as organizations must introduce hybrid algorithms, perform large-scale key and certificate rollover, update cryptographic libraries, and modify protocols that were not originally designed for larger PQC key and signature sizes.

PQC adoption also requires extensive interoperability and performance testing, since new schemes affect bandwidth, message formats, authentication flows, and constrained devices. Planning must therefore cover inventorying all cryptographic assets, assessing algorithm dependencies, updating PKI and HSM integrations, ensuring crypto-agility, and coordinating changes across applications and partners.

The goal is to help decision-makers see PQC as a core part of business continuity and resilience. Proactive planning isn’t just a cybersecurity best practice; it’s good governance, ensuring the organization stays ahead of emerging risks.

Why Regulation and Crypto-Agility Matter Now?

Crypto-agility is defined as the ability of a security system to rapidly switch or update cryptographic algorithms across systems, applications, and infrastructure without disrupting operations.

In the United States, the shift toward mandatory crypto-agility is already underway:

1. NIST Standardization

As part of the global effort to transition to PQC, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has been running an international PQC standardization program, supported by multiple conferences, research collaborations, and worldwide industry participation. NIST has already selected its first set of PQC algorithms:

ML-KEM (formerly CRYSTALS-Kyber) for key establishment (KEM)
ML-DSA (formerly CRYSTALS-Dilithium) as the primary digital signature algorithm
Falcon (NIST is standardizing this under its original name) as an additional lattice-based signature algorithm
SLH-DSA (formerly SPHINCS+) as the stateless hash-based signature option

These standards form the foundation for global PQC adoption and guide governments, vendors, and critical infrastructure providers in planning their crypto-modernization strategies.

2. NSA Guidance

The National Security Agency (NSA) recommends using the Commercial National Security Algorithm 2.0 (CNSA 2.0) suite, which mandates the use of quantum-resistant algorithms for protecting classified and national-security-related information. The guidance outlines approved PQC algorithms, transition timelines, and strict requirements for vendors and federal systems to phase out vulnerable RSA and ECC-based mechanisms. NSA emphasizes early planning, crypto-agility, and hybrid deployments, ensuring that systems handling national security data remain secure against future quantum threats and compliant with evolving federal standards.

3. CISA Strategy

In 2024, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) released a strategy outlining how organizations can begin migrating to PQC using automated, structured approaches with a full cryptographic inventory and adopting automated discovery tools to map where vulnerable algorithms, keys, and certificates exist.

It introduces the concept of “crypto-inventory automation” to continuously detect, classify, and track cryptographic assets, which are foundational for achieving crypto-agility. The strategy also highlights the need for interoperability testing, verification of vendor readiness, and phased hybrid deployments (classical + PQC) to reduce migration risk and ensure systems remain functional throughout the transition.

The message from the cybersecurity community is clear: quantum security can no longer be ignored.

The Importance of Crypto-Agility

At the center of this shift is the idea of crypto-agility. Building crypto-agility into your organization’s systems ensures long-term resilience and readiness for quantum-era threats.

Without focusing on PQC and crypto-agility, your business will face quantum risks across all levels. Building crypto-agility is essential not only to prepare for quantum computing but also to manage other evolving cryptographic threats. Here’s a blog that provides a technical breakdown of how to implement crypto-agility in real environments, derived from the key recommendations outlined in NIST’s white paper Considerations for Achieving Crypto Agility.

By properly planning and executing a shift towards PQC, your organization gains smarter and less costly choices down the line, a better security posture against all threats, and minimal risk of exposure when quantum capabilities evolve.

Translating Risk into Executive Action

As an IT and security professional, you understand how quantum computing will fundamentally impact today’s PKI and encryption standards. However, senior business leaders may not fully grasp these technical implications. Your role is to explain the risks clearly and concisely, without using unnecessary jargon, so they can make informed decisions and support the organization’s preparation efforts.

To gain board approval, you must present quantum risk in terms that align with business priorities: continuity, compliance, reputation, and overall resilience.

The following four principles will help convey the scale and strategic importance of transitioning to PQC.

1. Time-to-Remediate

Transitioning to quantum-safe cryptography is not something that can be done overnight. It is a complex, large-scale effort that touches every part of an organization’s technology environment.

Depending on your current systems and encryption methods, full implementation could take five to twelve years, with initial phases taking three to seven years. This pace is consistent with past cryptographic shifts. For example, the migration from SHA-1 to SHA-256 stretched roughly eight years due to ecosystem dependencies, legacy hardware, and slow vendor adoption.

Action Point for the Board: To ensure sufficient time for preparedness, the Board should approve concrete actions, including initiating a comprehensive cryptographic inventory across all systems and business units, funding PKI, key-management, and HSM modernization to support hybrid and PQC algorithms, approving a cross-functional migration program with clear timelines and milestones, and establishing governance oversight to monitor progress.

2. Crown Jewel Exposure

If your organization does not move to PQC, critical assets such as intellectual property, customer data, patient records, and financial information could be exposed to “harvest now, decrypt later” (HNDL) attacks.

This is more than a data loss issue; it threatens your competitive advantage. Competitors who secure their sensitive data earlier will protect their innovations and strengthen customer trust. Falling behind could lead to lasting reputational damage and financial loss.

Action Point for the Board: Protecting your organization’s most valuable data now, before quantum computers arrive, is key to avoiding future breaches, loss of trust, and financial harm.

3. Compliance Horizon

Regulators and standards bodies are already acting on the quantum threat. Agencies like NIST, NSA, and CISA are developing and recommending quantum-safe standards and best practices.

Organizations that fail to keep pace with these requirements could face fines, compliance failures, and reputational damage. Quantum preparedness will soon become a baseline expectation for all sectors.

Action Point for the Board: Investing in PQC now demonstrates strong governance, compliance, and leadership, helping the organization stay ahead of regulations and avoid costly penalties.

4. Technology Debt vs. Cryptographic Debt

Executives are already familiar with technology debt, the cost of delaying important updates or choosing short-term fixes. The quantum era adds a new layer: cryptographic debt, which builds up when encryption methods fail to keep pace with advancing technology.

Delaying PQC adoption or skipping early planning steps will lead to much higher costs and risks later, when emergency upgrades are unavoidable. Building crypto-agility now helps the organization stay prepared for future encryption challenges and avoids expensive, reactive migrations.

Action Point for the Board: Treat PQC preparation as a proactive investment that prevents higher costs, risks, and outages in the near future. Every delay adds to your organization’s technology and cryptographic debt.

Technical Concept	Board Priority	Risk of Inaction	Communication Focus
Time-to-Remediate	Business Continuity & Operational Resilience	Failure to meet national compliance timelines (2035) and guaranteed system disruption when Q-Day arrives.	This is a multi-year project (5-12 years). Planning now avoids disruption later.
Crown Jewel Exposure	Reputation & Intellectual Property Protection	Loss of core business assets (IP, PII, financial data) due to HNDL attacks.	Protecting the organization’s unique competitive advantage and maintaining stakeholder trust.
Compliance Horizon	Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC)	Severe fines, legal liabilities, and adverse action from regulatory agencies (NIST, NSA, CISA).	Adopting PQC is quickly becoming the new regulatory standard for all organizations.
Technology/Cryptographic Debt	Cost Optimization & Strategic Investment	Outsized, expensive, and non-strategic rushed migrations later, resulting in system outages and increased vulnerability.	Investing incrementally now is smarter and less costly than waiting for a forced, emergency upgrade.

The final step in successful quantum risk communication is presenting a viable business case grounded in strategy, not fear. This case must demonstrate clear alignment with existing organizational priorities, focus on strategic gains, and outline achievable, incremental progress.

Understanding Hybrid Cryptography

One of the most critical components of PQC adoption is hybrid cryptography. Enterprises will not transition from RSA or ECDSA directly to pure post-quantum algorithms. Instead, they will rely on hybrid modes, where a classical algorithm and a post-quantum algorithm are used together to provide layered security during the migration period.

Hybrid cryptography combines the strengths of both algorithm families:

A classical algorithm (e.g., RSA, ECDSA, ECDH) provides mature, well-understood security and broad interoperability.
A post-quantum algorithm (e.g., ML-KEM or ML-DSA) provides protection against future quantum-capable adversaries.

A hybrid signature or key establishment mechanism is considered valid only if both components validate successfully. This ensures that even if one algorithm family is compromised either by quantum attacks or by unforeseen weaknesses, the other continues to provide security.

Aligning PQC with Modernization and Digital Trust

PQC initiatives should be presented as integrated components of larger organizational goals:

Modernization and Cost Optimization: Align PQC preparation with current modernization efforts. The goal is to build cryptographic agility, which improves the organization’s overall security posture against all threats, not just quantum ones.
Digital Trust and Customer Protection: Focus on protecting customer data and long-term resilience as key pillars.
Automation: Streamline processes and reduce the operational overhead on current teams by embracing automation. This can be achieved by automatically discovering where cryptography is used, enforcing updated crypto policies, rotating and replacing keys and certificates, orchestrating hybrid (classical + PQC) deployments, updating protocol configurations, and continuously monitoring compliance.

Also, PQC aligns directly with Zero Trust principles, i.e., “never trust, always verify” by strengthening the cryptographic controls that Zero Trust depends on.

Outlining the True Cost of Inaction

When briefing the Board, it’s important to clearly explain the cost of inaction. Failing to upgrade to PQC could expose the organization to:

Legal and insurance risks if a quantum-enabled breach occurs.
Severe reputational damage if sensitive data is decrypted and leaked.
Business failure occurs if critical assets are compromised and trust is lost.

Even today, HNDL attacks pose a real threat. Encrypted data that seems secure now could be stolen and decrypted in the future, causing serious harm to the organization. Delaying post-quantum upgrades will only make the transition harder and slower later, because it affects systems, applications, and vendors across the organization. The longer you wait, the more complex and expensive the shift becomes. Therefore, waiting increases exposure. For these reasons, it’s better to invest in PQC now rather than facing a rushed and risky transition later.

How can Encryption Consulting Help?

If you are wondering where and how to begin your post-quantum journey,Encryption Consulting is here to support you. You can count on us as your trusted partner, and we will guide you through every step with clarity, confidence, and real-world expertise. 

Cryptographic Discovery and Inventory

This is the foundational phase where we build visibility into your existing cryptographic infrastructure. We identify which systems are at risk from quantum threats and assess how ready your current setup is, including your PKI, Hardware Security Modules (HSMs), and applications. The goal is to identify what cryptographic assets exist, where they are used, and how critical they are. Comprehensive scanning of certificates, cryptographic keys, algorithms, libraries, and protocols across your IT environment, including endpoints, applications, APIs, network devices, databases, and embedded systems.

Identification of all systems (on-prem, cloud, hybrid) utilizing cryptography, such as authentication servers, HSMs, load balancers, VPNs, and more. Gathering key metadata like algorithm types, key sizes, expiration dates, issuance sources, and certificate chains. Building a detailed inventory database of all cryptographic components to serve as the baseline for risk assessment and planning.

PQC Assessment

Once visibility is established, we conduct interviews with key stakeholders to assess the cryptographic landscape for quantum vulnerability and evaluate how prepared your environment is for PQC transition. Analyzing cryptographic elements for exposure to quantum threats, particularly those relying on RSA, ECC, and other soon-to-be-broken algorithms. Reviewing how PKI and HSMs are configured, and whether they support post-quantum algorithm integration. Analyzing applications for hardcoded cryptographic dependencies and identifying those requiring refactoring. Delivering a detailed report with an inventory of vulnerable cryptographic assets, risk severity ratings, and prioritization for migration.

PQC Strategy & Roadmap

With risks identified, we work with you to develop a custom, phased migration strategy that aligns with your business, technical, and regulatory requirements. Creating a tailored PQC adoption strategy that reflects your risk appetite, industry best practices, and future-proofing needs. Designing systems and workflows to support easy switching of cryptographic algorithms as standards evolve. Updating security policies, key management procedures, and internal compliance rules to align with NIST and NSA (CNSA 2.0) recommendations. Crafting a step-by-step migration roadmap with short-, medium-, and long-term goals, broken down into manageable phases such as pilot, hybrid deployment, and full implementation.

Vendor Evaluation & Proof of Concept

At this stage, we help you identify and test the right tools, technologies, and partners that can support your post-quantum goals. Helping you define technical and business requirements for RFIs/RFPs, including algorithm support, integration compatibility, performance, and vendor maturity. Identifying top vendors offering PQC-capable PKI, key management, and cryptographic solutions. Running PoC tests in isolated environments to evaluate performance, ease of integration, and overall fit for your use cases. Delivering a vendor comparison matrix and recommendation report based on real-world PoC findings.

Pilot Testing & Scaling

Before full implementation, we validate everything through controlled pilots to ensure real-world viability and minimize business disruption. Testing the new cryptographic models in a sandbox or non-production environment, typically for one or two applications. Validating interoperability with existing systems, third-party dependencies, and legacy components. Gathering feedback from IT teams, security architects, and business units to fine-tune the plan. Once everything is tested successfully, we support a smooth, scalable rollout, replacing legacy cryptographic algorithms step by step, minimizing disruption, and ensuring systems remain secure and compliant. We continue to monitor performance and provide ongoing optimization to keep your quantum defense strong, efficient, and future-ready.

PQC Implementation

Once the plan is in place, it is time to put it into action. This is the final stage where we execute the full-scale migration, integrating PQC into your live environment while ensuring compliance and continuity. Implementing hybrid models that combine classical and quantum-safe algorithms to maintain backward compatibility during transition. Rolling out PQC support across your PKI, applications, infrastructure, cloud services, and APIs. Providing hands-on training for your teams along with detailed technical documentation for ongoing maintenance. Setting up monitoring systems and lifecycle management processes to track cryptographic health, detect anomalies, and support future upgrades.

Transitioning to quantum-safe cryptography is a big step, but you do not have to take it alone. With Encryption Consulting by your side, you will have the right guidance and expertise needed to build resilient, future-ready security posture.

Reach out to us at info@encryptionconsulting.com and let us build a customized roadmap that aligns with your organization’s specific needs. 

Conclusion

The cryptographic change brought on by quantum computing is inevitable. PQC is not a problem for tomorrow; it is a requirement to plan for today.

Leading organizations are already planning their transition to PQC to future-proof their operations and secure their digital trust mechanisms. While no one can predict the precise quantum timeline, security leaders do not need to forecast Q-Day to act. They only need to prepare for the inevitable cryptographic shift we already know is on the way.

By communicating quantum risk clearly, framing it as a strategic governance concern rooted in measurable business risk, avoiding fear, and focusing on the concrete concepts of Time-to-remediate, Crown Jewel Exposure, Compliance Horizon, and Cryptographic Debt, CISOs and security leaders can become strategic partners with their leadership.

The next step? Engage vendors, auditors, and cross-functional partners, and use discovery tools to define a clear, incremental crypto-agility roadmap.

Taking these first steps toward crypto-agility now will significantly strengthen your security posture and preserve the integrity of your organization’s digital future. If we view the quantum transition as navigating a busy harbor, those who wait until the super-storm is on the horizon will face catastrophic costs and chaos; those who start charting the course and upgrading their navigation equipment now will ensure a smooth, strategic journey to a quantum-safe world.