Your Quantum security roadmap: Ensuring your organization is prepared
Other · Oct 7, 2025
Imagine if passwords, financial transactions and confidential emails for your business can be read by anyone. That's the reality that quantum computing could create - and it's closer than you think. As quantum computing races towards reality, businesses need to understand and prepare for a major shift in how we protect our digital information and communications.
The importance of encryption and its applications
Encryption acts like a digital lock that keeps your sensitive information safe from unauthorized access. It protects a wide range of applications, including secure communications, transactions, and data storage. By ensuring that data remains confidential and unaltered, encryption provides a foundation of trust in digital interactions.
Let's break down encryption into two main types:
- Asymmetric encryption: Uses two different keys - one to lock (encrypt) and another to unlock (decrypt).
- Symmetric encryption: Uses the same key to both lock and unlock.
Symmetric encryption is fast and efficient, great for securing large amounts of data without slowing things down. But it has a catch - how do you safely share that single key? This is where asymmetric encryption comes in. Along with digital certificates and Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), it solves the key-sharing problem. Both tools are complementary and most secure systems use a hybrid approach.
Understanding the Quantum threat
As quantum computing technology matures, it presents a fundamental challenge to the cryptographic foundations that secure our digital world. The transition to post-quantum cryptography (PQC) isn't just a technical upgrade, it's a strategic imperative requiring careful planning and coordination across entire technology ecosystems. Organizations that begin this transition now will be better positioned to maintain security continuity and avoid costly emergency migrations. This post explores the key challenges organizations face in this transition and provides actionable steps to begin preparing for a post-quantum world.
Quantum computing's impact on encryption
Quantum computers leverage quantum mechanics to perform complex calculations. These include, factoring large integers faster than classical computers and pose a significant threat to current encryption methods. While large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computers don't exist yet, the timeline for their development continues to accelerate. Current asymmetric encryption protecting everything from financial transactions to government communications could become vulnerable once sufficiently powerful quantum computers emerge.
Harvest now, decrypt later
This refers to one of the most serious risks facing organizations today. Imagine you have the best lock on your door, but someone is developing a master key. Adversaries may already be collecting encrypted data, knowing that quantum computers will eventually be able to decipher it.
Experts estimate that cryptographically relevant quantum computers (CRQC) may become available within the next 5 to 15 years. This implies sensitive information that must remain confidential for extended periods of time, such as medical records and financial information, may be at risk in the future. Organizations can prepare now by considering the threat posed by CRQC when evaluating their security procedures.
Post-Quantum Cryptography
The search for Quantum-resistant solutions
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has completed a rigorous, multi-year process to identify and standardize quantum-resistant algorithms that can protect data against both current computers and CRQCs. Some of these algorithms are now being implemented across the industry and we are seeing early adoption in production environments.
The need for crypto-agility
Crypto-agility is the ability to quickly and efficiently swap out cryptographic algorithms in response to emerging vulnerabilities. As quantum-resistant algorithms are developed and standardized, organizations must be prepared to transition to these new encryption schemes. This requires flexible cryptographic systems that can adapt to changes without significant disruption.
Starting Your Post-Quantum Journey
Educating teams and creating a roadmap
The first step in preparing for the quantum threat is to educate your teams about the potential risks and the importance of quantum-safe cryptography. Establishing a dedicated task force or working group focused on quantum security can also help in driving continuous learning and preparedness across the organization without significant financial investment. Organizations should also start taking steps to become crypto-agile. The following roadmap outlines the first steps to transition to quantum-resistant encryption methods.
Asset and data inventory
Creating an exhaustive inventory of your assets and data is essential. This inventory should include all sensitive information and the encryption methods currently used to protect it. Understanding what data is at risk will help prioritize your efforts.
Engaging with vendors and partners
Quantum readiness extends far beyond internal systems and processes. Begin proactive conversations with vendors about their technology roadmaps, and include specific quantum-security related requirements in the procurement process to signal that this is a key business priority. An organization's security ecosystem is only as strong as its weakest link. Early collaboration ensures coordinated transitions, reduces compatibility issues, and helps avoid the costly scramble that may occur as quantum deadlines approach.
Cryptographic inventory
You can’t manage what you can’t see. Create a detailed cryptographic inventory. This involves cataloging all cryptographic algorithms, protocols, and key types in use. Identify which methods are vulnerable to quantum attacks to guide your transition to quantum-safe alternatives.
Adopt AES-GCM 256 for symmetric encryption
This algorithm provides stronger security, making it harder for future quantum computers to break. It also ensures that the data is both protected and verified, all in one efficient step. Start with the sensitive data identified when you created your asset and data inventory.
Engage experts
Experienced security firms continuously track the latest developments in standards, algorithms, and vendor solutions. This knowledge is often difficult to build internally. Partnering with these experts helps organizations avoid mistakes, implement proven solutions, and move faster towards quantum readiness. For busy IT teams already juggling multiple priorities, working with specialists provides a practical way forward without overwhelming internal resources.
By understanding the quantum threat, exploring post-quantum cryptographic solutions, and embarking on a journey towards crypto-agility, organizations can fortify their defenses against future quantum attacks. Engage the experts and remember that organizations embarking on this journey don’t have to do so alone.
While others talk about cybersecurity, TELUS Business is preparing for the next era. By partnering with TELUS Business, enterprises can gain access to specialized knowledge, advanced tools and tailored strategies for transitioning to quantum-safe cryptography.
Check out our latest press release to learn more about
Check out our latest press release to learn more about
TELUS Quantum-Safe VPN service
Connect with a cybersecurity specialist
to learn how TELUS Business can help secure your organization from evolving threats in the quantum computing era. Authored by:
Ilijc Albanese
Senior Engineer
Ilijc holds B.Eng/M.Eng from Roma Tre (Rome) in Electronics Engineering & Ph.D. from U of Victoria in ECE. Former postdoc in network systems. Joined TELUS 2016, now Senior Technical Staff & quantum technologies lead.
