Preparing for the Quantum Era
Advances in quantum computing are opening new opportunities but
requiring more active implementation of new methods to encrypt data
8.1 years
expected time to materialize.
What does this trend encompass?
Accelerating progress in quantum computing is driving financial institutions, healthcare systems, and critical infrastructure providers to move from the assessment of PQC to active implementation. Quantum key distribution and random-number generators are emerging in limited commercial deployments, indicating early steps toward a new era of cybersecurity in which more quantum-resilient architectures will be deployed commercially. The combination of stable qubits, scalable architectures, and cloud-accessible quantum services means industries from medicine and materials science to finance and climate change modeling are preparing to tap the extraordinary potential of quantum machines and networks.
Why is it important?
By enabling quantum-secure communication protocols, accelerating ML through quantum kernel methods, and solving previously intractable combinatorial problems, quantum technologies are set to redefine digital infrastructure, creating new value chains and computational economies beyond the reach of classical systems.
How can stakeholders prepare?
As highlighted by DET survey respondents, preparing for the materialization of this trend at the country level depends on the following key drivers:
Digital Innovation: collaboration between regulators and the private sector on open-source tools to scan for outdated encryption, and small-scale pilots to test PQC approaches, can support wider migration.
Digital Infrastructure: the transition to post-quantum protection will require a modernized cryptographic stack implemented by operators, cloud providers, and hardware manufacturers that provides crypto-agile key management, hardware with PQC support, and edge-based device firmware updatability.
Digital Capabilities: highly skilled engineers (to build algorithms), system architects (to design crypto-agile systems), and auditors (to validate implementations) will reduce migration errors and compliance failures during transitions.
Industry Digital Transformation: embedding PQC requirements in industry is facilitating the emergence of trusted, quantum-ready ecosystems. These agreements replace fragmented security practices with a unified architecture, ensuring that digital ecosystems advance collectively toward quantum readiness.
Digital for Sustainability: preparing for the quantum era requires modern, energy-efficient, and resilient digital infrastructure. Early investment in such infrastructure creates the necessary capacity to integrate quantum-ready technologies without exceeding energy or environmental limits.
Impacts on the horizon
Prospective turning points that could catalyze this trend into rapid, widespread materialization
Major content delivery networks and browsers upgrade
to pair current safety algorithms with post-quantum safety, while the European Commission’s roadmap requires all member states to begin post-quantum cryptography transitions by the end of 2026
The United States’ National Security Agency’s operating systems
are expected to fully integrate quantum safety measures
Reliable and fault-tolerant quantum computers
are expected to become available, marking an inflection point for the commercialization of quantum in fields such as semiconductor manufacturing
Recommendations
Private sector
Modernize and map the cryptographic stack across all systems,
first piloting Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) algorithms in non-critical systems while building crypto-agile key management and hardware with PQC support that enables seamless algorithm upgrades.
Embed quantum-resistant security as a core component of business contracts
rather than an afterthought, ensuring new products have default support for modern encryption with easy upgrade pathways as standards evolve.
Collaborate with peers to co-develop open-source tools that scan for outdated encryption
and recommend replacements, while utilizing shared testing environments and cloud labs that reduce energy consumption and hardware waste during the transition.
Build high-skill capabilities in cryptographic engineering, system architecture, and security auditing
to ensure internal expertise for designing crypto-agile systems and validating implementations.
Public sector
Mandate clear timelines for PQC transitions — starting with national security systems and critical infrastructure,
establishing compliance frameworks that require modernized cryptographic stacks including cryptoagile key management and edgebased device firmware updatability.
Co-develop harmonized standards with international partners
to prevent regulatory and technical fragmentation while launching regulatory sandboxes for finance, healthcare, and infrastructure sectors to validate algorithms and hardware with PQC support.
Fund national workforce development programs
building high-skill talent pipelines in cryptographic engineering (for building algorithms), system architecture (for designing cryptoagile systems), and security auditing (for validating implementations).
Launch public-private partnerships for shared quantum testing environments and cloud labs
that provide open tools to scan, prioritize, and guide cryptographic upgrades while cutting collective energy use and hardware waste.
IGOs, IOs, and others
Convene global coalitions to publish interoperable PQC standards,
open reference implementations, and practical guidance for modernizing cryptographic stacks including crypto-agile key management and edge-based firmware updatability.
Establish regional quantum security hubs
providing shared cloud labs, testbeds, and training programs to help emerging economies build quantum readiness while ensuring trusted and secure adoption of next generation technologies.
Coordinate capacity-building initiatives
ensuring post-quantum security upgrades extend beyond well-resourced nations through knowledge transfer, technical assistance focused on high-skill capabilities, and access to shared testing infrastructure.
Coordinate multi-stakeholder scenario planning and simulations
to anticipate quantum-enabled threats and strengthen global digital security resilience.
Read the Digital Economy Trends 2026 report
Explore the full insights and analysis of the 2026 research.