Quantum Computing Threat Looms: Why Most Businesses Aren’t Ready for Post-Quantum Cryptography

Introduction

Quantum computing is no longer just a theoretical possibility; it’s a rapidly approaching reality with the potential to redefine cybersecurity. Despite this, a surprising number of organizations in tech-savvy countries like the US, UK, and Australia remain unprepared for its implications. A recent survey by DigiCert reveals that although many senior cybersecurity leaders acknowledge the looming risk posed by quantum computers, very few have begun taking concrete steps toward post-quantum cryptography (PQC). The findings raise serious questions about enterprise readiness and whether today’s encrypted data is already under silent threat.

This article explores the key insights from

Quantum Unreadiness: Key Takeaways from DigiCert’s Survey

Widespread Concern, Little Action: Nearly 70% of cybersecurity leaders believe that quantum computers capable of breaking current encryption systems will emerge within five years.

Minimal Adoption: Despite the concern, only 5% of surveyed organizations have implemented quantum-safe encryption measures.

False Sense of Security: While only a handful have adopted PQC, a surprising 57% of respondents feel either “very prepared” or “extremely prepared” for the quantum threat, suggesting a disconnect between perception and reality.

The Quantum Threat is Now: Threat actors may already be collecting encrypted data under the “store now, decrypt later” strategy, intending to crack it once quantum capabilities mature.

Five-Year Timeline May Be Optimistic: Experts like Ollie Whitehouse, CTO at the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre, suggest that adapting to PQC is a “decade-long, national-scale technology change”—far more complex than fixing the infamous Millennium Bug.

Critical Sectors at Higher Risk: Industries handling sensitive or long-lived data, such as banking and IoT manufacturers, need to start acting now due to the long lifecycle of their cryptographic assets.

UK Finance’s 2023 Warning: British financial institutions have already been cautioned to begin their transition to PQC before it’s too late.

Inflection Point for Enterprise Security: According to DigiCert’s Kevin Hilscher, businesses must shift their mindset and begin laying the foundation for PQC readiness.

Four-Step Transition Plan:

Inventory Cryptographic Assets – Know what needs to be upgraded.
Prioritize Critical Algorithms – Focus on encryption used in long-term assets like IoT firmware.
Test PQC Integration – Begin incorporating quantum-safe algorithms in current cryptographic libraries.
Become Crypto-Agile – Develop flexibility to update encryption quickly in response to evolving threats.

What Undercode Say:

The DigiCert report offers a sobering look into the current state of enterprise cybersecurity readiness in the face of quantum computing. While awareness is growing, action remains insufficient, and the clock is ticking.

There is a marked cognitive dissonance between the perceived level of preparedness and the actual implementation of PQC strategies. Over half of the surveyed leaders feel confident about their organizations’ readiness, yet only 5% have initiated meaningful security upgrades. This gap signals either a misunderstanding of the complexity of PQC adoption or a misplaced trust in legacy systems.

The optimism surrounding a five-year horizon before quantum threats materialize is risky. Whitehouse’s assertion that this will be a decade-long national effort suggests that the transition will be neither simple nor quick. This means organizations should already be well into preparation phases, particularly those managing critical infrastructure, sensitive data, or long-lived cryptographic systems like IoT and firmware.

Moreover, the existence of “store now, decrypt later” tactics elevates the urgency. Encrypted data stolen today could be compromised tomorrow. This makes proactive quantum-readiness not a future investment but a present necessity.

The four-step guide proposed by DigiCert is a solid blueprint but hinges on enterprise commitment and budget allocation. Asset discovery and inventory sound basic but are often poorly executed, especially in sprawling, complex organizations. Furthermore, crypto-agility is not just about technology—it requires adaptable policies, a trained workforce, and cross-departmental coordination.

From a macroeconomic and geopolitical standpoint, PQC is a cybersecurity arms race. The organizations that move quickly will be the ones maintaining trust, reliability, and resilience in the years to come. In contrast, laggards may face data breaches, reputational damage, and even regulatory penalties once quantum threats become real.

The enterprise landscape must recognize that PQC is not merely an IT challenge—it’s a strategic imperative. Governments, financial institutions, healthcare providers, and tech companies must collaborate to create a standardized, scalable approach to encryption modernization. Open collaboration on cryptographic standards, shared threat intelligence, and policy-driven enforcement will play pivotal roles in this transformation.

The challenge is immense, but the window to act is rapidly narrowing. As with climate change or global pandemics, early action can mitigate the worst outcomes. Waiting until the threat is fully realized will leave businesses scrambling against a far superior adversary.

Fact Checker Results

Quantum computers have not yet reached the level to break current encryption but are progressing fast.
“Store now, decrypt later” is a real and growing concern among security experts.
Only 5% of businesses adopting PQC matches findings from DigiCert’s primary data.

Prediction

By 2030, quantum computing will force a total overhaul of global encryption standards. Businesses that haven’t begun transitioning by 2026 risk catastrophic data breaches and may lose compliance with emerging cybersecurity regulations. Expect an increase in PQC-related investments, training programs, and policy reforms as governments and corporations race to secure their digital futures.