Canada is joining its G7 Cybersecurity Working Group partners in releasing the Preparing for the Post-Quantum Era: A Call to Action, a joint publication highlighting the growing risks that quantum computing poses to current public-key cryptography and urging organizations to begin transitioning to post-quantum cryptography (PQC) now.
The publication emphasizes that while the timeline for cryptographically relevant quantum computers (CRQCs) remains uncertain, organizations face immediate risks such as "harvest now, decrypt later" attacks. In these attacks, threat actors collect encrypted data now, with the intention of decrypting it in the future using quantum computing capabilities. It also warns that quantum-enabled attacks could compromise authentication mechanisms, enabling attackers to impersonate trusted entities, forge data, and undermine secure communications.
The publication recommends ways to support a coordinated global transition to PQC. To help organizations and governments prepare for the transition, the publication outlines five priority areas for action:
- raising awareness of quantum-related cybersecurity risks and the benefits of PQC
- developing national strategies to support the adoption and availability of PQC technologies
- advancing research and development to support innovation and practical deployment of PQC solutions
- strengthening public-private partnerships to share expertise, resources, and best practices
- integrating PQC into cybersecurity requirements
The publication calls on public and private sector organizations to adopt a phased, risk-based approach to PQC migration. This includes taking inventory of cryptographic assets, identifying critical systems, mapping dependencies, and developing transition plans to help protect sensitive data and digital infrastructure.
Consult the full publication: Preparing for the post-quantum era: a call to action
Learn more
- G7 Cybersecurity Working Group statement on preparing for a post-quantum cryptography migration
- Preparing your organization for the quantum threat to cryptography (ITSAP.00.017) - Canadian Centre for Cyber Security
- Roadmap for the migration to post-quantum cryptography for the Government of Canada (ITSM.40.001)