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Industry Spotlight | Updated November 5, 2025

Safeguarding defence in the quantum age

As quantum computing advances, defense organisations must act now to protect national security from future cryptographic threats.

In the defense and national security space, the rise of quantum computing presents a new category of risk: the compromise of today’s encryption systems. These systems underpin everything from battlefield communications to logistics and critical infrastructure. The moment when a quantum computer can break modern cryptography (often referred to as Q Day) may still be years away, but the urgency to act is now.

Across the defense ecosystem, many organizations lack a clear understanding of how their systems depend on cryptography. Without this knowledge, they cannot prioritize or protect the most critical assets. In response, the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre has issued guidance calling for a phased transition to post-quantum cryptography (PQC), with preparation milestones set for 2028, early migrations by 2031 and full readiness by 2035.

Steps to a PQC roadmap

The path to quantum resilience requires more than just technical fixes. Defense leaders must build awareness across teams, map cryptographic dependencies and address hidden organizational debt—spanning infrastructure, process and knowledge. Integrating PQC standards while ensuring interoperability with legacy systems adds to the complexity.

It’s a multifaceted challenge, but a solvable one. Defense organizations should start by understanding their digital estate and identifying which systems will need cryptographic upgrades. They must evaluate data flows, supply chains and mission-critical services. From there, they can define a roadmap for PQC adoption, informed by standards from bodies such as NIST.

Quantum-readiness for NATO members 

Collaboration will be essential. NATO has already set a strategic direction, urging member nations to build a quantum-ready ecosystem. Defense agencies, industry partners and academic institutions must share insight, co-invest in research and train a new generation of quantum-literate professionals.

"Post-quantum cryptography is an important approach to secure communications against quantum-enabled attacks," according to NATO's summary of its Quantum Technologies Strategy. "In the future, further improvements could allow quantum key distribution to also contribute to secure communications."

Securing the future requires the right blend of strategy, readiness and resolve. For defencse organizations, achieving quantum resilience means planning for sustained change across systems, skills and strategic priorities.