Facing the Quantum Threat: Cisco's Strategic Approach to PQC
Cisco, Thursday, February 5th, 2026
Imagine a future where today's most secure data, from financial records to national secrets, could be instantly deciphered. This isn't science fiction; it's the emerging reality of quantum computing.
While quantum computers promise unprecedented breakthroughs, they also threaten the cryptographic foundation on which global cybersecurity has been built. Powerful quantum computers known as cryptographically relevant quantum computers (CRQC) will compromise public-key cryptography, putting encrypted data and secure communications at risk.
We estimate that CRQCs may begin to emerge before 2035, if not sooner. Recent technical breakthroughs - including distributed quantum algorithms developed at Oxford, Google's high-fidelity Willow chip, and more - provide a call to action to secure cryptography for a post-quantum world. For banks, insurers, and healthcare organizations, quantum computers threaten confidentiality and integrity of sensitive customer data. R&D-heavy industries must secure their intellectual property.