Strategic guide: how to prepare for the post-quantum cryptography era

Quantum computing is no longer a distant concept. It’s a developing reality that already poses a critical threat to digital security. Many of today’s cryptographic algorithms—used to protect everything from banking systems to state secrets—could become obsolete within the next decade.

In this context, Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) emerges as both a technical solution and a strategic imperative to safeguard information in a quantum-enabled future. However, the transition demands proactive planning, risk evaluation and long-term vision.

Our whitepaper “Strategic preparation for post-quantum cryptography” explores the implications of this new era and proposes a three-phase action model: Identify, Protect and Govern. It’s a critical roadmap for companies, governments and institutions seeking to preserve their operational and digital sovereignty.

What you’ll find in this guide

• The real impact of quantum computing: why algorithms like RSA or ECC will be vulnerable in the coming years.
• Emerging threats: long-term tactics such as Harvest Now, Decrypt Later are already in use by APT groups.
• Industry-specific use cases: practical implications in finance, healthcare, defence, manufacturing and automotive.
• PQC algorithms selected by NIST: CRYSTALS-Kyber, Dilithium, FALCON and SPHINCS+.
• A 3-pillar transition framework: how to evaluate assets, migrate systems and implement crypto-agile governance.

Three pillars for a successful post-quantum transition

• Identify: comprehensive cryptographic inventory, risk mapping and critical dependencies.
• Protect: phased implementation of PQC algorithms, pilot tests and hybrid integration strategies.
• Govern: setup of a Cryptography Centre of Excellence (CCoE), with full E2E visibility and crypto-agile capabilities.

This approach allows organisations to transition gradually, prioritising the most critical assets and minimising operational risk without disrupting business continuity.

Who is this guide for?

This guide is aimed at CISOs, IT leaders and cybersecurity professionals, as well as strategic decision-makers who understand that the future of security depends on today’s choices. It is especially relevant for regulated sectors such as finance, healthcare, defence and automotive, where long-term data protection is essential.

■ Are you ready for the quantum threat? Download our guide and start defining your roadmap to a sovereign, crypto-agile and quantum-resilient infrastructure.

Discover how Telefónica Tech can support you in this transition with expert guidance, leading technologies and a strategic vision.