As the world marks World Quantum Readiness Day this Thursday, experts from across the technology sector have urged governments and organisations to confront the challenges and opportunities posed by the rise of quantum computing. While the transformative power of the technology is still years away from maturity, industry leaders argue that action must be taken now to prepare for a shift that could redefine cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and global competitiveness.
The looming shift in cryptography
Kevin Bocek, Senior Vice President of Innovation at CyberArk, emphasised that quantum readiness is not a distant concern.
“World Quantum Readiness Day serves as a stark reminder that the future isn’t as far off as we think,” he said. “We’re in the midst of a once-in-a-generation change that no one can escape: the move to post-quantum cryptography.”
Bocek warned that machine identities – the certificates and keys underpinning digital economies – will need to be replaced once quantum computers capable of breaking today’s encryption are realised. “Securing these identities will be the linchpin for navigating this transition successfully,” he noted.
Preparation, he argued, requires visibility into how machine identities are used and adopting automated lifecycle management to update them with quantum-resistant alternatives. He added that such investment would not only prepare for the quantum future but also strengthen resilience against existing risks such as outages and breaches.
Industry optimism tempered with realism
Research from SAS found that three in five business leaders are already exploring or investing in quantum technologies. Yet, according to Amy Stout, Head of Quantum Product Strategy at SAS, expectations need to be managed.
“It’s a running joke in the quantum space – quantum is three to five years away, every year,” she said. While breakthroughs have yet to deliver widespread benefits, Stout argued that businesses investing now are positioning themselves for first-mover advantages such as intellectual property and in-house expertise.
She believes progress is accelerating: “I think we stand a good chance of seeing these computers able to provide quantum advantage for problems we’d consider low-hanging fruit relatively soon.”
Her colleague, Bill Wisotsky, Principal Quantum Systems Architect, highlighted that the so-called “quantum advantage” should not be understood narrowly as faster speed. “All too often, the media views quantum advantage as one-dimensional, but the quantum advantage isn’t only about speed – it’s multidimensional,” he said. Reductions in power use, improved data representation and more efficient model training could all be equally transformative.
Risks of inaction
Others warn that organisations failing to act now are placing themselves at considerable risk. Simon Pamplin, Chief Technology Officer at Certes, described the threat as urgent.
“Quantum computing isn’t tomorrow’s problem, it’s today’s crisis hiding in plain sight,” he said. Criminals, he noted, are already stockpiling stolen data, anticipating the day when quantum decryption will unlock it.
Pamplin argued that the industry faces “the largest mass exposure of sensitive information in history” once quantum decryption becomes viable. “Boards and regulators will not accept excuses,” he cautioned, insisting that the tools to defend against these risks – through post-quantum standards – already exist. “World Quantum Readiness Day must be more than a date in the calendar. It is the last wake-up call before quantum stops being theory and starts being weaponised.”
Europe’s fragmented position
Beyond the private sector, geopolitical competition is also shaping the quantum race. The inaugural Quantum Index Report 2025 from MIT found that the United States leads in research quality and hardware, while China dominates in patent filings. Europe, however, risks falling behind.
Tom Henriksson, General Partner at venture capital firm OpenOcean, said the continent’s challenge lies not in talent or research but in regulatory fragmentation. “The primary issue is the fragmented regulatory and funding environment across Member States,” he explained. “Capital alone will not build a thriving quantum ecosystem.”
He called for a shift towards a single, connected system. “If Europe is serious about competing with quantum frontrunners, we must act as one market – not 27,” Henriksson warned, noting that pooling resources and removing friction would be essential in scaling startups and fostering adoption.
Preparing for the quantum era
As the debate unfolds, a consensus emerges that readiness must begin now. Whether it is safeguarding encryption, managing machine identities, or investing in early adoption, the experts agree that quantum computing’s potential is too great – and its risks too severe – to ignore.
World Quantum Readiness Day, they argue, should serve as a rallying point: a reminder that decisions made today will determine which organisations, and which regions, will lead in a future reshaped by quantum technology.