Quantum Computing Is Coming for Your Encryption & Here's How to Prepare

We only think about encryption when it fails. It quietly protects almost everything we do online, from banking and medical records to business deals and private messages. That invisible shield is built on encryption rules that have held up for decades. But quantum computing is changing the game. Fast.

Some experts still debate the timeline but the warning signs are hard to ignore. In my experience most companies still underestimate how close we are to this reality. It won’t happen overnight. When it does the impact on cybersecurity could be huge. So let’s break it down in plain language and talk about what you can do today to stay ahead.

What Is Quantum Computing and Why Should You Care?

Quantum computers work in a totally different way than the devices we use now. Today’s computers use bits 0 or 1. Quantum computers use qubits which can be 0 and 1 at the same time. That allows them to solve really tough problems far faster.

It sounds like science fiction but it’s already becoming real. And one of the first sectors to feel its effects will be cybersecurity.

The Encryption Problem A Real Story

A few years ago I worked with a health tech firm. They encrypted patient data using something called RSA 2048. At the time it felt bulletproof — a classical computer would need millions of years to break it. But now imagine a strong enough quantum computer using something like Shor’s Algorithm. What took millions of years might take hours. Suddenly those medical records, contracts and trade secrets are not safe anymore. Worse attackers might already be saving encrypted data right now so they can decrypt it later when quantum computers catch up. I call it “harvest now, decrypt later.” It is no longer science fiction. It is “when” not “if.”

The Response Quantum Resistant Encryption

Here’s the good part Researchers and governments are getting ready. Enter post quantum cryptography which is a new kind of encryption built to stand up against both classical and quantum computer attacks. The National Institute of Standards and Technology has already picked several strong candidate algorithms. Now it comes down to implementation. In my view this is not just a tech upgrade. It is a long term shift similar to the move from IPv4 to IPv6. And startups, enterprises and governments need to get moving now.

What You Can Do Today

You don’t have to be a cryptographer to get ready. Here are a few clear steps you can start today:

• Map your cryptographic assets Take stock: what data are you encrypting and where is that encryption used
• Follow NIST and global standards I’m keeping a close eye on National Institute of Standards and Technology and other global bodies as they pick the new encryption methods that can handle quantum-computer threats because from my experience, many teams wait too long.
• Build crypto agility into your systems Ensure your systems can easily switch to new encryption methods when needed, without causing major disruptions. That flexibility will pay off.
• Run risk assessments Think about which data patient records, IP, legal files would cause the most damage if exposed in a post quantum world
• Educate leadership and teams Make sure your IT, security, legal and executive teams all understand why this matters. This isn’t just an IT issue. It’s about trust, business continuity and reputation.

Is It Too Soon to Worry?

Some say we’re still ten to fifteen years away from quantum computers breaking today’s encryption. Others say it could be within five. The truth is we don’t know exactly when it will arrive. But what we do know is this: the cost of being unprepared is high. I’ve seen too many companies delay action because the threat doesn’t feel urgent yet. That mindset is risky. Like climate change or supply chain disruption quantum security is about future proofing before a crisis.

Final Thoughts and a Question for You

Quantum computing is no longer a lab experiment. It’s real. And it’s going to reshape the foundation of digital security. Companies that act early will have a clear advantage. Companies that wait may find themselves scrambling for trust, reputation and security.

So I’ll ask again: Are you having conversations about post-quantum risk in your company yet? If not, now is the time.

Awareness is the first step - preparation is the next.

If your team wants to start preparing for the post-quantum era, Fast Lane offers hands-on cybersecurity courses designed to build exactly these skills. Explore our training programs

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