Securing Communications in the Quantum Computing Age: Managing the Risks to Encryption

The authors of this report explore the risks posed by the development of quantum computers able to crack digital encryption by assessing how quickly quantum computers are likely to be developed, how quickly postquantum cryptography (PQC) that can withstand attacks is likely to be standardized, and how quickly and widely PQC will be adopted. The analysis concludes that the threat to the communications infrastructure is urgent but manageable.