U.S. cybersecurity leaders are ramping up efforts to prepare for the disruptive potential of quantum computing, a technology they warn could undermine critical infrastructure, national security, and personal privacy in the near future. At a recent meeting of the President’s National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee (NSTAC), National Cyber Director Harry Coker emphasized that the quantum threat isn’t a distant concern—it’s already unfolding.

“Adversaries are employing a ‘store now, decrypt later’ strategy,” Coker explained, referencing the practice of stockpiling encrypted data with the intention of cracking it once quantum computing capabilities mature. This poses a serious risk to national secrets, economic stability, and individual privacy.

To counter this, NSTAC is launching a study to accelerate the adoption of post-quantum cryptography across public and private sectors. Their findings will guide the White House on how to secure systems before quantum computers become widely available. The urgency stems from warnings over the past decade that quantum machines could eventually break current encryption methods, which rely on mathematical problems too complex for classical computers but solvable by quantum systems.

While experts estimate that practical quantum computers are still a decade away, U.S. agencies are proactively addressing the challenge. Countries worldwide, including U.S. adversaries, are heavily investing in quantum research to gain strategic advantages. This has prompted cybersecurity leaders to advocate for robust public-private collaboration to tackle the issue.

Caitlin Clarke of the National Security Council and Noopur Davis, a Comcast executive, are spearheading the NSTAC study. They stress the importance of early action, noting that transitioning to new encryption standards is a time-intensive process, potentially taking years or even decades.

“This is a complex problem that requires strong partnerships between government and industry,” Clarke said. Davis added that quantum computers could compromise everything from military communications to financial systems, highlighting the need for immediate action to safeguard critical infrastructure.

In parallel, agencies like the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) are assessing vulnerabilities in national infrastructure, identifying sectors most at risk, and providing guidance to help organizations prepare for the post-quantum era.

Recently, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) released three encryption tools designed to withstand quantum attacks. These tools, which took eight years to develop, represent a significant milestone in cryptography and offer detailed instructions for integration into existing systems.

The NSTAC study will also examine lessons from previous technological shifts, such as the Y2K bug and the transition to digital TV, to anticipate barriers like cost and interoperability.

“Protecting cryptography against the quantum threat is more than a technological challenge—it’s a national priority,” Davis concluded. The federal government aims to lead the way by adopting quantum-resistant systems and setting an example for private sector adoption.