Charting the Path to Post-Quantum Cryptography

The emergence of cryptographically relevant quantum computers poses an unprecedented threat to global cybersecurity. These powerful systems will render today's widely deployed public-key cryptography obsolete, exposing military communications, financial transactions, healthcare records, and critical infrastructure to catastrophic breaches.

While such quantum capabilities may be further out, the threat is immediate. Nation-state adversaries are already implementing "harvest now, decrypt later" strategies—stealing and stockpiling encrypted data today for future decryption once quantum computers mature. This reality demands urgent action.

The transition timeline is daunting. Cybersecurity experts project that migrating to quantum-safe protocols will require at least a decade to complete across interconnected systems. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) launched its post-quantum cryptography (PQC) standardization initiative in 2016, releasing the first three standards in 2024. Federal agencies now have a White House mandate to complete their PQC transition by 2035, while the private sector faces parallel imperatives across banking, healthcare, and critical infrastructure. Beyond PQC algorithms, organizations are also exploring quantum key distribution (QKD) and other quantum-native security technologies as complementary protective measures.

The scope is staggering: the World Economic Forum estimates that over 20 billion digital services worldwide will require upgrading or replacement within the next two decades.

This special session brings together cybersecurity leaders from government, financial services, healthcare, and critical infrastructure sectors to accelerate practical PQC migration strategies and drive coordinated action across America's digital ecosystem.