Post-Quantum Cryptography: How To Prepare Your Organization Now

InnovationPost-Quantum Cryptography: How To Prepare Your Organization NowByExpert Panel®,Forbes Councils Member.for Forbes Technology CouncilCOUNCIL POSTExpertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author. | Membership (fee-based)May 26, 2026, 08:15am EDT GettyPost-quantum cryptography is moving from a future security concern to a practical planning issue for organizations. Quantum computers powerful enough to break widely used public-key encryption aren’t here yet, but the risk is already relevant, since attackers can collect encrypted data now and decrypt it later when the technology catches up.NIST finalized its first three post-quantum cryptography standards in 2024, giving organizations a clearer path forward, but migration won’t be as simple as swapping in a new tool. Below, Forbes Technology Council members share practical steps leaders can take now to strengthen cryptographic agility and prepare their systems for a post-quantum future.Classify Data By Confidentiality LifespanClassify your data by its sensitivity lifespan, not just its current value. Encrypted financial records may be worthless in five years, but patient health data or contracts stolen today remain dangerous for decades. Prioritizing migration based on how long data must stay confidential focuses on quantum-readiness, where the exposure window is longest and the real organizational risk actually lives. - Jagadish Gokavarapu, Wissen InfotechCentralize Cryptographic Asset VisibilityAs organizations prepare for post-quantum cryptography, leaders must inventory and centralize their cryptographic assets now to enable true agility. You can’t upgrade what you can’t see, and visibility into where and how encryption is used is the foundation for rapidly adopting post-quantum standards as they evolve. - Suman Sharma, Ping IdentityForbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives. Do I qua...