Why Do Organizations Need PQC Assessment in 2025?

Introduction: A Quantum Countdown for Cybersecurity

In 2025, cybersecurity leaders and industries face a turning point. The once-theoretical threat of quantum computing has become an urgent business risk. Breakthroughs by tech giants (e.g., Google’s 2024 “Willow” quantum chip) and government initiatives signal that a post-quantum world is approaching much faster than previously expected. For Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) in industries like finance and healthcare, this means now is the time to assess and plan for post-quantum cryptography (PQC). Failing to prepare could leave critical systems and sensitive data exposed when quantum computers finally arrive.

This blog post explains why PQC assessments are imperative in 2025, highlighting the quantum threats to current cryptography, the harvest now, decrypt later risk, evolving standards like NIST’s PQC algorithms and NSA’s CNSA 2.0, regulatory drivers in industries like finance and healthcare, and a roadmap for quantum-readiness. The goal is to equip cybersecurity professionals with a strategic and technical overview of PQC readiness that ensures organizational resilience and compliance in the quantum era

The Urgency of Post-Quantum Cryptography in 2025

By 2025, post-quantum cryptography is no longer a far-off concern—it’s a present-day strategic priority. Quantum computing leverages quantum mechanics to perform computations at speeds infeasible for classical computers, meaning tasks that would take modern supercomputers years can be done in minutes or days on a sufficiently powerful quantum computer. While this promises great benefits for science and industry, it also presents a monumental security threat.

Experts warn that a cryptanalytically relevant quantum computer (CRQC) will be capable of breaking essentially all of today’s widely used public-key cryptography. In a 2022 U.S. National Security Memorandum, the White House cautioned: “A quantum computer of sufficient size and sophistication will be capable of breaking much of the public-key cryptography used across the United States and around the world”, jeopardizing everything from military communications to financial transactions and critical infrastructure controls.

Crucially, the timeline is tightening. Many analysts initially thought practical quantum attacks were decades away, but recent advances have shortened those projections. Some experts suggest state adversaries “may have quantum decryption capabilities as early as 2028”. Recognizing this, government agencies and standards bodies have set firm deadlines for transitioning to quantum-safe cryptography. In a landmark move, NIST announced that algorithms like RSA, Diffie-Hellman (DH), elliptic-curve cryptography (ECC/ECDSA), and EdDSA will be deprecated by 2030 and disallowed after 2035.

This aligns with U.S. National Security Memo-10, which targets 2035 for federal systems to be quantum-resistant. In other words, the world has a 10-year (or less) runway to replace vulnerable encryption—an extremely short window given the complexity of upgrading cryptographic infrastructure. The countdown to PQC is on, and organizations must act with urgency.

Quantum Computing Threats to Current Cryptography

Why is quantum computing such a game-changer for security? The answer lies in algorithms like Shor’s algorithm, which allows a quantum computer to factor large numbers and compute discrete logarithms exponentially faster than any classical method. This directly threatens the security of RSA (which relies on the difficulty of factoring) and ECC (which relies on discrete log problems) – the very foundations of digital security for everything from bank websites to medical device firmware. Once sufficiently powerful quantum computers exist, “traditional asymmetric cryptographic methods for key exchange and digital signatures will be broken”, as one industry source bluntly states.

With Shor’s algorithm, a quantum computer could, for example, break RSA-2048 encryption in a matter of hours. No feasible increase in key size will help; no reasonable key size would suffice to keep data secure against a quantum attacker. Similarly, elliptic-curve-based schemes (ECDH, ECDSA) would be defeated, undermining the authentication and key exchange mechanisms that secure internet traffic, financial transactions, and healthcare communications. NIST itself has noted that current public-key algorithms defined in standards like FIPS 186-4 (Digital Signature Standard) and SP 800-56A/B (key establishment) “are vulnerable to attacks from large-scale quantum computers”.

It’s important to note that symmetric cryptography (e.g., AES) and hash functions are less vulnerable; a quantum algorithm called Grover’s algorithm can speed up brute force attacks, but only by squaring the effort (effectively halving the security bit strength). Thus, an AES-256 key still provides ~128-bit security against quantum attacks, which is considered acceptable. Current hash functions like SHA-256/SHA-3 are also believed to remain secure against known quantum techniques.

The real crisis is with public-key (asymmetric) cryptography: RSA, ECC, Diffie-Hellman, DSA, all fall to Shor’s algorithm. These algorithms pervade our security architecture from TLS certificates, VPNs, and blockchain signatures to the secure boot process of medical devices. Thus, a quantum computer attack would shatter digital trust, allowing attackers to impersonate servers, decrypt confidential data, forge signatures, and generally undermine the foundations of cybersecurity in finance, healthcare, and beyond.

“Harvest Now, Decrypt Later”: Today’s Threat, Not Tomorrow’s

One might be tempted to think: if large-scale quantum computers (so-called CRQCs) are not here yet in 2025, can’t we wait a bit longer? The answer from security experts is a “No”, largely due to the “harvest now, decrypt later” threat model. Also called “catch now, break later,” this refers to adversaries stealing encrypted data today and storing it, knowing that in the future they will have the quantum tools to decrypt it.

In other words, even if a hacker or nation-state cannot read certain sensitive records now, they may be stockpiling your encrypted bank records, customers’ personal data, or patients’ health information with the intention of unlocking it once quantum decryption is feasible. Intelligence agencies are likely already doing this against high-value targets. Indeed, a recent industry report notes that malicious actors are “already said to be collecting encrypted data and storing it for the time when future quantum computers will be capable of breaking our current encryption methods”.

This means the risk is present today; any data that needs to remain confidential for years or decades (e.g., financial transactions logs, PII, health records, intellectual property, state secrets) is at risk of future exposure if intercepted now.

Cybersecurity authorities warn that early planning is critical because of this delayed-impact threat. The U.S. CISA, NSA, and NIST jointly stated in 2023 that “cyber threat actors could be targeting data today that would still require protection in the future, using a catch now, break later or harvest now, decrypt later operation”. For industries like healthcare, where patient records may retain value for a lifetime, or financial services, where certain transactions and communications must stay secure for many years, quantum risk is essentially a “time bomb”.

Additionally, many organizations have long technology refresh cycles, for example, critical banking systems or medical devices might be in service for 10-20 years. If those are built with only classical encryption, they could become security liabilities in their operational lifetime. As the NSA succinctly put it, given foreign pursuits in quantum computing, now is the time to plan, prepare, and budget for a transition to quantum-resistant algorithms. Waiting until a CRQC is publicly announced will be far too late; the sensitive data you secure today must be protected against the capabilities of tomorrow.

Standards and Frameworks: Guiding the PQC Transition

Fortunately, the cybersecurity community isn’t starting from scratch; standards bodies and government agencies have been preparing for the quantum era. As of 2025, organizations can look at several authoritative frameworks for guidance on which post-quantum cryptography algorithms to adopt and how to transition.

NIST’s Post-Quantum Cryptography Program

The U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has led a multi-year global effort to standardize PQC algorithms. After evaluating dozens of candidates in an open competition, NIST announced its first selections, a key-establishment mechanism CRYSTALS-Kyber and three digital signature schemes CRYSTALS-Dilithium, FALCON, and SPHINCS+. These algorithms were chosen for their strong security against both classical and quantum attacks, as well as their acceptable performance. NIST wasted no time moving forward. By August 2023, it had already released draft standards for three of the new algorithms. In August 2024, NIST published FIPS 203, 204, and 205, which formally standardized:

• Module-Lattice-Based Key Encapsulation Mechanism (ML-KEM) – based on CRYSTALS-Kyber.
• Module-Lattice-Based Digital Signature (ML-DSA) – based on CRYSTALS-Dilithium.
• Stateless Hash-Based Digital Signature (SLH-DSA) – based on SPHINCS+ (a stateless hash-based signature).

This was a historic milestone: for the first time, we have official standards for quantum-resistant encryption and signatures, providing a clear path for vendors and organizations to implement PQC. NIST is continuing its work, running a 4th round to standardize additional algorithms (e.g., a code-based KEM called HQC was selected in 2025). NIST’s timeline is driven in part by White House directives; a recent NIST report noted that the transition must support “NSM-10’s goal of transition of USG systems to PQC by 2035”.

In practical terms, NIST’s guidance means enterprises should align their crypto strategy with these vetted algorithms. The new PQC standards are intended to protect sensitive government information well into the foreseeable future, including after the advent of quantum computers, and what protects the government will likewise protect industry. Many security products will likely incorporate NIST-approved PQC in the coming years, if they haven’t already.

NSA’s CNSA 2.0 Suite

Another key framework comes from the U.S. National Security Agency. In September 2022, NSA announced the Commercial National Security Algorithm Suite 2.0 (CNSA 2.0) – its blueprint for cryptography to protect classified and national security systems in the quantum era. Notably, CNSA 2.0 for the first time includes post-quantum algorithms, reflecting NSA’s confidence in the NIST selections. The suite specifies using CRYSTALS-Kyber for key exchange and CRYSTALS-Dilithium for digital signatures, as well as certain hash-based signature schemes (XMSS and LMS) for specific use cases. NSA chose these algorithms because they have been analyzed and deemed secure against both classical and quantum attacks.

CNSA 2.0 comes with a timeline, National Security Systems (NSS) operators are expected to fully transition to these quantum-resistant algorithms by 2033, with some high-priority cases as early as 2030. Until the new standards are fully in place, NSA advises continuing to use CNSA 1.0 (the current Suite) but to pay attention to NIST selections and to the future requirements outlined in CNSA 2.0. NSA’s message is clear: if you handle sensitive government data, start testing and integrating PQC as soon as possible.

They explicitly encourage testing in operational systems as soon as available, even as NIST finalizes standards. However, NSA also cautions not to deploy unvetted algorithms in production until NIST and the National Information Assurance Partnership (NIAP) have validated them, underscoring the need to strike a balance between urgency and carefulness. For industry CISOs, NSA’s stance is a trendsetter. If the agency responsible for securing the nation’s most sensitive communications is mandating a crypto transition now, private sector firms (especially in critical industries) should take note.

International and Industry Standards

Beyond NIST and NSA, there is global momentum on PQC standards. ISO/IEC, the international standards body, has begun incorporating quantum-safe cryptography into its standards portfolio. For example, ISO approved stateful hash-based signatures (like XMSS and LMS) are acknowledged in the standard ISO/IEC 14888-4:2024 as viable quantum-resistant signature methods. We can expect ISO/IEC to follow NIST by standardizing lattice-based schemes as well, providing internationally recognized specs that align with NIST’s algorithms.

The European Union has also stepped up: in April 2024, the European Commission issued a Recommendation (EU 2024/1101) outlining a coordinated roadmap for member states to transition to PQC for protecting critical digital infrastructures. In June 2025, the EU rolled out a plan targeting 2030 for widespread PQC adoption in Europe’s public and private sectors. This mirrors the U.S. timeline and signals that regulators globally expect quantum-safe encryption by the early 2030s.

Industry groups are likewise proactive. The G7 Cyber Expert Group, for instance, issued a “call to action” in 2023 urging the financial sector worldwide to monitor quantum computing risks and begin planning for PQC. In the tech community, standards for implementing PQC in internet protocols are underway (e.g., the IETF is working on hybrid TLS and VPN standards that combine classical and PQC algorithms for a transition period). ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute) has a working group publishing guidelines on quantum-safe cryptography for networks.

All these efforts build a consensus: cryptographic agility and quantum-resistant algorithms must become the norm. The key takeaway for organizations is that authoritative guidance and standards are available now; you should leverage these in your crypto assessments rather than reinventing the wheel. By aligning with NIST’s chosen algorithms and following frameworks like NIST, CNSA 2.0 or ISO’s recommendations, you’ll be on a vetted, consensus-backed path to security.

Official deadlines for phasing out quantum-vulnerable encryption: NIST plans to deprecate RSA, ECC, and related algorithms by 2030 and disallow them by 2035. Finance and government leaders worldwide have set similar targets, making 2030 a pivotal deadline for quantum safety.

Regulatory Drivers in Finance and Healthcare

For CISOs in the financial and healthcare sectors, the push for PQC readiness isn’t just coming from technology risk assessments; it’s increasingly driven by regulatory expectations and compliance trends. Financial regulators and industry bodies are sounding alarms about quantum threats, while healthcare authorities are embedding crypto-agility into cybersecurity requirements. Let’s look at each sector:

Financial Services: Protecting the Integrity of Finance

Financial institutions have long been guardians of data confidentiality and transaction integrity. With quantum computing on the horizon, regulators and industry consortia are urging finance to lead the charge on PQC adoption. A notable example is the Financial Services Information Sharing and Analysis Center (FS-ISAC), which in late 2024 released a whitepaper on Building Cryptographic Agility in the Financial Sector. The guidance bluntly states that, the move to crypto agility must begin immediately because quantum computing is likely to make a commonly used class of cryptography algorithms insecure in the next few years.

In other words, FS-ISAC warns its member banks that RSA/ECC could be broken within this decade, potentially exposing sensitive financial data and disrupting the trust that underpins banking. The whitepaper, authored by experts from major global banks, frames crypto-agility (the ability to rapidly swap out cryptographic algorithms) as a business continuity and trust issue.

It asserts that the financial sector must treat PQC migration not as a one-off tech upgrade, but as part of a long-term strategy to ensure the safety of business operations in today’s complex, ever-evolving computing environment. Global financial regulators are echoing these concerns. In early 2023, the G7 (Group of Seven) issued a public call encouraging financial firms to prepare for quantum risks and work with governments on a smooth transition. In Europe, law enforcement and banking overseers have been proactive.

In February 2025, Europol’s Quantum Safe Financial Forum (QSFF), a coalition of financial crime authorities and banks, issued an “urgent call to action” for the financial sector to coordinate a transition to PQC together. The QSFF highlighted that banks might be tempted to delay PQC migration due to more immediate issues (like ransomware, AI threats, or new regulations like Europe’s DORA and NIS2), but stressed that “the long-term risk of quantum computing cannot be ignored”.

The forum’s report warned that failure to start now could lead to a rushed and costly transition later, with higher operational risks. Among the challenges noted were the interdependency of financial networks (no bank can go it alone without partners) and the need for a common, coordinated approach to avoid fragmentation or inconsistent standards. One of the QSFF’s key recommendations is to use hybrid cryptography, combining classical and quantum-safe algorithms as a stepping stone, allowing gradual migration while maintaining interoperability.

U.S. regulators have also begun quietly integrating quantum readiness into their oversight. A July 2025 report from the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) advised banks that while broad quantum computing implementation is “unlikely to be available in the near term,” they should be aware of the risk implications and consider how to effectively monitor developments in quantum computing as they manage future infrastructure investments. In practice, this means bank examiners expect institutions to include quantum risk in their strategic technology planning for instance, ensuring new systems are crypto-agile and setting aside budget for PQC upgrades.

Even the U.S. Treasury has pointed out this concern; the Treasury’s Cyber Expert Group (within the G7 context) emphasized monitoring quantum developments and starting planning efforts now. In sum, the finance sector is under growing pressure to treat quantum preparedness as part of operational resilience. Forward-looking banks are already inventorying their cryptography and running proof-of-concepts with PQC. Waiting until regulations mandate a switch could be perilous, given the lengthy timelines involved in replacing cryptographic systems across global financial networks.

Healthcare: Safeguarding Patient Data and Devices

The healthcare sector, from hospitals to medical device manufacturers, faces a unique dual imperative, protecting highly sensitive personal data and ensuring the safety and efficacy of life-critical devices. Both are at stake in the context of quantum threats, and regulators are beginning to respond. A stark example came in 2023 when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) updated its medical device cybersecurity guidance. The FDA’s 2023 Premarket Cybersecurity Guidance explicitly requires manufacturers to ensure crypto agility throughout the product’s use and provides reasonable assurance that devices can be kept secure over their lifecycle.

Under Section 524B of the FD&C Act (as amended by recent legislation), the FDA can even refuse approvals for new medical devices that don’t meet cybersecurity expectations, specifically citing the use of deprecated cryptographic algorithms or lack of a forward-looking upgrade plan as grounds for rejection. In practice, this means if a medical device today is built solely on RSA or ECC with no path to PQC, the FDA might not allow it on the market.

Indeed, industry insiders report that some device submissions have already been flagged or delayed due to cryptographic deficiencies, such as using outdated algorithms or not documenting key management and update processes. Healthcare CISOs and product security leaders should take note: crypto agility and PQC planning are no longer optional from a compliance perspective, they’re becoming an expected part of due diligence.

Healthcare data privacy laws also implicitly drive PQC considerations. HIPAA, for example, mandates protection of electronic health information; while it doesn’t specify encryption algorithms, it effectively requires that any ePHI that is encrypted stays confidential. If quantum computing threatens encryption protecting years’ worth of stored patient records, healthcare entities could face compliance and liability issues for breaches if they don’t transition to stronger cryptography in time.

The long retention periods of medical records (often decades or a lifetime) mean healthcare data stolen now could still be sensitive when quantum attacks emerge, raising the specter of future privacy violations via harvest-now/decrypt-later tactics. Recognizing these risks, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has echoed CISA/NSA’s advice for critical infrastructure. A 2023 joint factsheet (targeted at all critical sectors, including Healthcare & Public Health) urged organizations to begin preparing now by creating quantum-readiness roadmaps, conducting cryptographic inventories, and engaging vendors about PQC support.

Additionally, healthcare industry groups are raising awareness. The Health-ISAC (Health Information Sharing & Analysis Center) published insights describing quantum computing as a “coming healthcare cyberattack crisis”, noting that the technology “has the potential to break through legacy encryption technologies used to prevent healthcare industry cyberattacks. Their guidance suggests steps for healthcare professionals to avoid quantum-computing-powered cyberattacks, such as updating cryptographic systems and investing in new skills and technologies. Medical device makers, in particular, are advised to act early.

As one medical cybersecurity firm put it, “With NIST committing to deprecate non-quantum-resistant cryptography by 2030, [device manufacturers] need to act now to avoid product delays, expensive redesigns, or long-term risk exposure.” Leading manufacturers are implementing Cryptographic Bills of Materials (CBOMs), essentially an inventory of all crypto components in a device, including readiness for PQC, to streamline regulatory approval and internal upgrades. The bottom line is that healthcare regulators and stakeholders are increasingly viewing quantum resilience as part of patient safety and data protection. Just as one would patch a critical software vulnerability, one must remediate the “quantum vulnerability” in encryption before it can be exploited.

Roadmap for PQC Readiness: A Strategic Approach

Facing the quantum threat can seem daunting, but CISOs can tackle it with a structured, strategic approach. A PQC readiness assessment in 2025 should lead into a multi-year roadmap for migration. Below is a framework that cybersecurity leaders in finance, healthcare, and other sectors can follow:

1. Build Awareness and Executive Support

   Begin by educating stakeholders and senior management about the quantum risk and why action is needed now, not later. Present the credible timelines (e.g., NIST’s 2030/2035 deadlines, NSA’s 2033 mandate, analysts predicting possible Q-day within ~5-10 years) and the concept of “harvest now, decrypt later” to illustrate the current exposure. Quantum risk should be framed as an operational resilience issue on par with other enterprise risks. Gaining leadership buy-in ensures you’ll have the necessary resources and urgency across the organization.

2. Cryptographic Inventory (“Know What You Have”)

   You can’t fix what you can’t see. Form a project team to identify all systems, applications, and devices that rely on quantum-vulnerable cryptography. This includes any use of RSA, Diffie-Hellman, ECC (ECDH/ECDSA), DSA, or other asymmetric algorithms in your environment. Don’t forget less obvious places like VPN appliances, partner network connections, code signing certificates, client-side applications, IoT devices, medical equipment, etc.

   Also, inventory data stores, what encrypted data are you holding, and how long must it remain secure? NIST, CISA, and NSA emphasize creating this inventory as a first step, noting that organizations are often unaware of the breadth of their cryptography dependencies. Consider developing a Cryptographic Bill of Materials (CBOM) for critical systems, documenting each cryptographic component, key length, and its PQC readiness status. This inventory will be the foundation for risk assessment and migration planning.

3. Assess Risk and Prioritize

   Not all crypto exposure is equal. Analyze the inventory to identify which systems and data are most critical to address first. Key factors include, the sensitivity and required secrecy lifetime of data (e.g., confidential patient data needed for decades, or financial transactional data subject to long-term secrecy laws), the criticality of the system’s function (e.g., a system supporting real-time payments or life support devices has near-zero tolerance for security failure), and the feasibility and impact of upgrading that system. This risk-based view helps prioritize what needs to transition to PQC first.

   For example, a financial firm might prioritize securing inter-bank communication links and confidential client data archives, whereas a hospital might focus on electronic health record databases and pacemaker communication protocols. Also consider third-party risks: engage with vendors and partners to understand their crypto roadmaps (are they offering PQC-enabled versions or upgrades?). Regulators recommend such engagement; organizations should “include engagements with supply chain vendors” as part of quantum readiness planning.

4. Develop a Quantum-Readiness Roadmap

   With priorities set, create a formal migration roadmap. This should include timelines, milestones, and resource plans for deploying PQC solutions. Many agencies suggest establishing a cross-functional project team (crypto experts, IT architects, risk managers, compliance officers) to govern this effort. The roadmap may span several phases, including testing (e.g., pilot a PQC-enabled VPN or email encryption in 2025-26), dual-use and interoperability (running quantum-safe algorithms in parallel or in hybrid mode with classical ones), and full transition by the target dates (e.g., well before 2030 for high-value assets).

   Don’t wait for a perfect solution, plan to iterate. For instance, you might deploy hybrid cryptography (classical + PQC) in the interim if pure PQC support is not yet available in all products. Include contingency for updates as standards evolve (e.g., if NIST adds new algorithms or as performance of PQC improves). The plan should align with any external mandates, for example, if you operate in the US public sector, align with the 2035 deadline; in the EU, note the 2030 target for critical infrastructure.

5. Invest in Cryptographic Agility

   A key principle throughout your roadmap should be crypto agility by design. This means building systems and applications in a way that algorithms can be changed with minimal disruption. Use modular cryptographic libraries and APIs that abstract the algorithm (so you can swap RSA for Kyber, for instance, without overhauling the entire system). If you have in-house developed software, update it to use modern crypto frameworks that support PQC algorithms or can be extended to do so. Ensure that key management systems and Hardware Security Modules (HSMs) are compatible with larger keys and different algorithm types. Some legacy HSMs may require upgrades or replacements to support PQC.

   Crypto agility also involves operational processes, make sure you can distribute new keys and certificates at scale when the time comes (certificate management will be critical as algorithms change). According to FS-ISAC, treating crypto-agility as an ongoing capability is the only way to enable business continuity when existing cryptography is compromised or weakened, essentially future-proofing your infrastructure against not just quantum, but any crypto flaw.

6. Implement and Test PQC Solutions

   Begin rolling out quantum-safe solutions in a phased manner. Start with non-production or low-risk environments to test integration, performance, and interoperability. For example, a bank might deploy a PQC-enabled TLS cipher suite in a test environment between two internal applications, measuring the impact on latency and throughput. A hospital IT team could test a prototype of a PQC-secured telemetry link for medical IoT devices. Testing should address known challenges of PQC, such as larger key sizes and heavier computational load. (Many PQC algorithms, especially lattice-based ones, use bigger keys and signatures than RSA/ECC, which could affect network bandwidth and device storage.) Identify any bottlenecks early.

   It’s also wise to test fallback mechanisms: for instance, if a partner system isn’t PQC-ready, can your communication fall back to classical encryption securely, or use a hybrid mode? Continue to iterate on deployments – perhaps start by securing new systems or applications with PQC by default (so-called “crypto diversity”), while gradually retrofitting existing systems in priority order.

7. Monitor Standards and Update Compliance Posture

   The PQC landscape will evolve through the 2020s. Assign someone (or a team) to track developments in standards, regulations, and threats. This means following NIST’s updates (e.g., new FIPS standards, NIST Special Publications on PQC migration), watching for ISO/IEC or ETSI standards you may need to comply with (especially if you operate internationally), and listening to sector-specific regulators. For finance, this could include bodies like the SEC, FFIEC, or central banks if they issue guidance on quantum readiness. For healthcare, monitor FDA updates, HHS/OCR guidance, or even changes to HIPAA/HITRUST requirements regarding encryption.

   Also keep an eye on threat intelligence: are there signs that adversaries are ramping up quantum research or that a smaller quantum computer was able to break a RSA-1024 key in a lab? Being aware will allow you to adjust your timeline, for example, accelerating certain migrations if quantum appears closer than expected. Regulators are likely to tighten requirements as we approach 2030; staying ahead of them not only ensures compliance but could be a competitive differentiator (demonstrating to clients/patients that you’re on the cutting edge of security).

8. Collaborate and Share Knowledge

   Finally, recognize that PQC transition is an ecosystem problem. Engage in industry forums (like FS-ISAC for finance or Health-ISAC for healthcare) to share experiences and solutions. Collaboration helps avoid a fragmented approach where everyone solves the same problems in silos. Public-private partnerships are emerging to tackle quantum transition; for example, the U.S. DHS and NIST have initiatives via the National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (NCCoE) to produce migration playbooks and tools.

   The Europol QSFF recommended a voluntary framework between regulators and the private sector to coordinate efforts rather than waiting for strict mandates. Take advantage of these resources. By working together, financial institutions can ensure, say, that payment networks and banks migrate in sync, and healthcare organizations can push vendors (EHR systems, device manufacturers) to deliver quantum-safe solutions on a reasonable timetable. Everyone benefits from a more secure cryptographic ecosystem.

How can EC support PQC transition?

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, 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 Public Key Infrastructure and Hardware Security Modules 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 [email protected] and let us build a customized roadmap that aligns with your organization’s specific needs.  

Conclusion: Ensuring Future-Ready Security Now

In the cybersecurity field, professionals are often balancing immediate threats (malware, ransomware, zero-day exploits) against long-term strategic risks. Quantum computing may be the ultimate strategic risk; it’s a looming paradigm shift that will redefine what “secure” means. The year 2025 marks a pivotal moment: we have enough information and tools to begin acting (with NIST standards, proven PQC algorithms, and clear government roadmaps), but we also have a finite timeline before the risk materializes.

For CISOs and security leaders, especially in finance and healthcare, post-quantum readiness has to become a priority alongside today’s threats. As one industry executive noted, “quantum risk is an operational resilience issue, not a distant problem just as ransomware and AI-driven threats demand immediate action, so does quantum readiness”.

Organizations that start their PQC assessment and migration now will be far better positioned to avoid chaos and high costs down the road. By 2030, regulators will likely expect compliance with quantum-safe standards, early movers will meet those expectations smoothly, while laggards scramble. Moreover, customers and partners are beginning to ask about crypto-agility and quantum plans as part of due diligence. Demonstrating that your bank or healthcare system has a credible quantum-safe crypto roadmap can enhance trust and reputational assurance. On the other hand, ignoring the issue could mean that data you thought was secure (your clients’ financial records, your patients’ health information) might be decrypted by adversaries in a decade, with disastrous consequences for privacy and trust.

In summary, organizations need PQC assessment in 2025 because the quantum threat is no longer hypothetical, and the defensive solutions are at hand. The risk to current cryptography is existential, but with prudent planning – guided by standards, nudged by regulations, and executed with strategic focus, we can achieve crypto-agility and quantum-resistant security before it’s too late.

The transition to post-quantum cryptography is a complex journey, but it is also an opportunity: an opportunity to strengthen our cryptographic foundations, modernize systems, and ensure that the critical data of our financial and healthcare systems remain secure not just today, but for the decades to come. As the saying goes, “the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago; the second best time is now.” The same goes for planting the seeds of quantum-safe security; the time to act is now, in 2025, to safeguard our organizations for the quantum future.