Quantum computers are coming soon and could break today’s locks on secret data. But most companies aren’t ready. Nine out of ten businesses have no plan to switch to quantum-safe locks.
These machines might crack common codes like RSA in 10-20 years, says the U.S. government. But the danger starts now. Data that is locked today can be collected now and unlocked later when quantum computers become powerful enough.
https://x.com/Akinloyejosiah/status/2018278609161424949
This “grab now, unlock later” method is mostly a risk for information that needs to stay safe for many years, such as bank details, company secrets, or smart devices that are used for 10–20 years.
https://x.com/AshishJanghel13/status/2018277296910782903
Short-term data, like quick login details, is safer, because it expires before it can be unlocked in the future.
Mosca’s rule can be used to assess risk by adding the amount of time data needs to remain secure to the time required for system upgrades. If this total is longer than the years left before quantum computers arrive (estimated at around 5–7 years), the risk is considered high and should be addressed immediately.
Big steps happened in 2025. Top companies showed quantum wins. IBM says 2026 brings real proof. Experts predict governments in the US, Europe, and China will use quantum for tough jobs—like breaking codes—by 2030.
Good news: Safe new locks exist. The U.S. standards group (NIST) picked a fifth one called HQC last year. They say make locks easy to swap. NIST’s new guide helps plan the switch. Rules are coming: Old codes get banned by 2030-2035 in the US and EU. Europe wants starts by end of 2026. US laws and plans push companies to act.
But change is happening very slowly. Right now, only one main type of website security (TLS 1.3 with mixed methods) is widely used. A survey of 1,500 workers found that 91% do not have any plan to deal with this change. Eight out of ten said their current tools are not ready. Only 39% have checked the rules or regulations. Another survey of company leaders said that a complete switch could take about 12 years.
What pushes action? Deals with customers top the list (22%). After that come rules, cyber-attacks, and pressure from vendors. The good news is that about half are planning to use one quantum-safe lock by 2026. Also, almost everyone plans to spend around 6–10% of their security budget on this soon.
Biggest problem: Companies don’t know where they use locks.
