Post Quantum Cryptography (PQC) overview and why you should care!
John Savill's Technical Training explains what post-quantum cryptography (PQC) is, why it matters now (even before large-scale quantum computers exist), and what practical steps to take to prepare.
Full summary based on transcript
Introduction
The presenter introduces post-quantum cryptography (PQC) and frames it as a near-term planning topic, not a distant research problem.
The problem: why quantum changes the risk model
The presenter explains that widely used public-key cryptography is vulnerable to sufficiently capable quantum computers.
Key points covered:
- The concern is not only future breakage of cryptography, but also data captured today that could be decrypted later.
- This is commonly described as the “harvest now, decrypt later” threat.
What PQC is
The presenter describes PQC as a set of cryptographic algorithms designed to resist attacks from both classical and quantum computers.
Topics highlighted:
- PQC focuses on replacing or augmenting today’s public-key primitives (for example, key exchange and digital signatures).
- The video references common PQC algorithm families and names that appear in current discussions (including Kyber and Dilithium).
What you should do now
The presenter outlines practical preparation steps organizations and engineers can start immediately:
- Identify where cryptography is used across systems (applications, services, protocols, libraries, certificates, and dependencies).
- Understand which parts rely on public-key cryptography and where upgrades will be required.
- Plan for phased adoption as standards and platform support mature.
“Harvest now, decrypt later” as a driver for urgency
The presenter emphasizes that long-lived sensitive data is at higher risk because it may still be valuable when quantum capabilities arrive.
Microsoft reference: Quantum Safe Program
The video points viewers to Microsoft’s Quantum Safe Program progress update for Microsoft’s perspective and ongoing work:
- Microsoft Quantum Safe Program info: https://www.microsoft.com/security/blog/2025/08/20/quantum-safe-security-progress-towards-next-generation-cryptography/
Close
The presenter closes with a reminder that PQC readiness is largely about early visibility (knowing where crypto is used) and planning for change, rather than immediate wholesale replacement everywhere today.