The quantum deadline is unclear. The need to prepare isn’t.

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September 9, 2026, 11:07 AM

• •The piece says the absence of a precise quantum deadline has delayed enterprise action on cryptographic migration.
• •It cites IBM’s 2025 Quantum-Safe Readiness Index, which reportedly gave the average organization a score of 25 out of 100.
• •NIST finalized its first post-quantum cryptography standards in 2024 and urged organizations to start transitioning.
• •The author recommends creating a cryptographic bill of materials to identify where cryptography is used and what can be updated.
• •The article warns about “harvest now, decrypt later” attacks against sensitive encrypted data.
• •It says procurement, annual budgeting, and vendor PQC roadmaps should be part of quantum-readiness planning.

The article argues that organizations should begin preparing for post-quantum cryptography even though no firm deadline exists for quantum computers to break current encryption. It cites NIST’s finalized PQC standards, Google’s warning that quantum progress is accelerating, and IBM data showing most organizations remain poorly prepared. The author says enterprises should inventory their cryptographic systems, prioritize sensitive data and authentication risks, and build crypto-agility into future systems. He also frames budget cycles and vendor procurement decisions as critical levers for avoiding a rushed and costly migration later.

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