Preparing for the Quantum Era: A Strategic Priority for CIOs and CISOs
Gusztáv Krékity
2025.10.30
Quantum computing is no longer a distant vision. McKinsey forecasts that by 2027, today’s public key encryption could be broken, while Gartner expects current asymmetric cryptography to be unreliable by 2029. This makes the “harvest now, decrypt later” threat a real and urgent concern. CIOs and CISOs must act now to protect their organizations’ data and infrastructure.
Visibility and Legacy Systems
The first step toward quantum readiness is visibility. Tools like Strata Cloud Manager’s Quantum Readiness view and Cryptographic Inventory dashboard provide a clear picture of encryption use and its relation to business-critical data, transforming an IT issue into a strategic business matter.
Legacy systems remain a major challenge. PAN-OS 12.1 introduces a cipher translation proxy that converts traditional encryption to quantum-safe algorithms without disrupting operations—helping protect investments and reduce risk.
Multi-Layered Quantum Protection
Effective quantum security must be multi-layered. Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) standards such as ML-KEM, ML-DSA, and SLH-DSA form the foundation, while Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) provides an additional layer of defense. With ETSI 014 protocol support, PAN-OS 12.1 already enables QKD integration.
To support this transition, the 5th-generation NGFWs (PA-5500 series) deliver massive computing capacity—up to 256 cores and 400 Gbps interfaces—ensuring networks stay fast and secure even under quantum-ready encryption.
AI as a Strategic Ally
Artificial intelligence now plays a critical role in cybersecurity. Precision AI® from Palo Alto Networks combines machine learning, deep learning, and generative AI to detect anomalies, predict threats, and automate responses. This turns cybersecurity from reactive defense into proactive strategy, empowering IT leaders while reducing manual workload.
Turning Risk into Advantage
Quantum threats are not distant—they’re strategic challenges of today. By building visibility, adopting quantum-safe encryption, modernizing infrastructure, and leveraging AI, organizations can transform quantum risk into a competitive advantage.
Those who act early will not only secure their systems but also lead the way in the digital future.
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