G7 Calls on Firms to Adopt Post‑Quantum Encryption Ahead of Emerging Threats

The G7 Cyber Security Working Group, together with the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, issued a joint advisory on Thursday urging public and private entities to begin shifting to post‑quantum cryptographic solutions without delay.

Officials warned that advances in quantum computing could soon render today’s dominant public‑key systems—such as RSA and elliptic‑curve cryptography—ineffective, exposing everything from financial transactions to government communications to potential decryption.

The advisory outlines a practical roadmap: organizations should inventory existing cryptographic assets, develop migration timelines, pilot quantum‑resistant algorithms in low‑risk environments, and coordinate with vendors to ensure compatibility with emerging standards.

Those recommendations echo the multi‑year effort led by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, which has already identified several candidate algorithms for standardization and is expected to publish final guidance within the next year. Major technology firms have begun internal testing, signaling industry momentum.

Stakeholders across critical‑infrastructure sectors, healthcare, and finance are being told that early preparation can mitigate the “harvest‑now, decrypt‑later” risk—where adversaries store encrypted data today in anticipation of future quantum breakthroughs.

Looking ahead, the G7 plans to monitor progress, share best‑practice frameworks, and consider coordinated policy measures to ensure a smooth global transition. Experts note that while full adoption will span several years, beginning the migration now reduces long‑term disruption and strengthens overall cyber resilience.