Recent advancements in quantum computing indicate that it may soon become a mainstream technology, particularly among scientific and medical adopters. Once this happens, it will only be a matter of time before quantum enters the enterprise mainstream. 

The advent of production-scale quantum computing, while still some years out, necessitates immediate strategic action from CIOs, says André M. König, CEO of Global Quantum Intelligence, a quantum industry analysis firm. He notes that transitioning to it won’t be a trivial undertaking, likely requiring five to 10 years for large enterprises to complete. “Therefore, the most critical recommendation for CIOs is to start immediate planning and to initiate a quantum-safe program if one isn’t already underway,” König advises. 

Scott Buchholz, emerging technology research director and quantum computing leader at Deloitte, also believes that now is the time for CIOs to begin preparing for quantum computing’s inevitable arrival. “Many CIOs and their enterprises continue to take a ‘wait and see’ approach,” he says. “However, given the inherent technical complexity, implementation strategies will necessitate extended timelines — spanning years rather than months — and will demand the careful development of both talent and technology operating models across investment cycles.” 

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First Steps

Before doing anything else, CIOs and other leaders need to understand which use cases might benefit from quantum computing, and when capabilities to meet those needs might arrive, Buchholz says. They will also need to identify the teams to handle development and operations. 

König agrees that CIOs should begin defining job roles for a future quantum environment, exploring whether to leverage external quantum consultants or to cultivate internal expertise through robust training and upskilling programs. “Investing in staff education on quantum computing will be vital for building a knowledgeable workforce capable of navigating this complex landscape,” he explains. 

Meanwhile, CIOs and their teams should engage in strategic planning by identifying potential quantum use cases that could accelerate or improve existing IT processes, König says. “Advanced technology groups within the organization should be tasked with evaluating quantum computing readiness and continuously monitoring for signals of disruption in the quantum landscape.” 

Now is also the time to start building close relationships with quantum technology vendors, Buchholz says. “Organizations that invest in cultivating relationships within the quantum ecosystem will be well-established and supported when quantum becomes commercially viable,” he states. “The time to begin forging these connections is now.” 

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Business partners can leverage their significant investments and expertise in multiple ways to help educate CIOs on quantum solutions, says Doug Saylors, a partner at technology research and advisory firm ISG. “Partners can help provide a basic understanding of quantum physics and computing as a foundation, along with industry-specific use cases.” he states. “Additionally, we’re starting to see the emergence of industry-specific consortiums focused on the application of quantum computing in a non-competitive manner.” 

Building Support

At a minimum, CIOs should begin creating awareness campaigns for their C-level colleagues on use cases applicable to their industry and begin forecasting budget and skill requirements, Saylors says. 

CIOs should start with sober, informed communication, Buchholz recommends. “Opening a dialogue offers the space to educate stakeholders on how … these new [quantum] tools provide opportunities and risks,” he says. “From there, discussions can shift to solution-oriented conversations.” 

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Security Matters

CIOs and CISOs must also be proactive in educating leaders on quantum computing’s potential risks, Buchholz says. He points to Deloitte’s 2025 Tech Trends Report, which found that just over half (52%) of organizations are assessing their exposure and developing quantum-related risk strategies, yet with only 30% taking decisive action to implement solutions. “With the approaching deadlines for widespread adoption, those numbers should be much higher,” Buchholz warns. 

Risk management must be at the forefront of quantum preparedness, König cautions. “A key focus should be on cryptographic vulnerabilities, particularly addressing the ‘harvest now, decrypt later’ threat.” He believes that implementing post-quantum cryptography (PQC) solutions will be crucial in combatting this threat. “Ultimately, CIOs should adopt a risk-based approach to quantum preparedness, prioritizing the protection of the most critical assets and data against future quantum-enabled threats.” 

Be Prepared

While there’s no set date for when widespread quantum adoption will arrive, preparedness is crucial, Buchholz says. “CIOs must prepare their organizations, teams, and stakeholders to help keep their organization on a path of success and growth,” he advises. “Starting to plan today, and working to thoughtfully scale for the future, will help a CIO prepare for both the opportunities and risks quantum computing can bring to their enterprise.”Â