PQC Demands Preparation: The New Call to Action from CISA & G7

Last week, CISA and the Group of Seven (G7) Cyber Security Working Group released Preparing for the Post-Quantum Era: A Call to Action highlighting the urgent need for organizations and governments to begin transitioning to post-quantum cryptography (PQC) to protect sensitive data, authentication systems and critical assets from emerging quantum computing threats.

The G7 Cybersecurity Working Group highlights that while the exact timeline for quantum computing is unclear, “several recent advances suggest an anticipation of the development of quantum computers able to break widely used public-key cryptography mechanisms and threaten the security of digital infrastructures.”

Many organizations are already implementing actions to support the transition to PQC, but the pace is dependent on the infrastructure, regulatory environment and technology across countries.

The recent announcement from CISA and G7 underscores five priority areas of focus for a successful transition to PQC:

• Raising awareness of quantum risks and the importance of PQC;
• Developing national strategies that support PQC adoption and integration;
• Advancing research and development for quantum-safe technologies;
• Fostering public-private partnerships to share expertise and resources; and
• Integrating PQC into cybersecurity requirements and procurement processes.

Many organizations list quantum as a security concern without recognizing it as an economic and business risk with major consequences, especially as the “harvest now, decrypt later” threat is already at play. As organizations look for ways to manage cybersecurity budgets for the best outcome, investing in PQC aligns directly with Zero Trust initiatives that most companies have already prioritized, making it a natural next step. To continue driving Zero Trust, organizations must start their PQC journey now by discovering and implementing PQC agile cryptography as soon as possible.

For more information on the projected PQC timeline and how to leverage Red River’s Post-Quantum Cryptography Accelerator to get prepared, download the solution brief or contact us [email protected].