PQC Explained

PQC stands for post-quantum cryptography. In plain terms, it is the move from today's common encryption methods to new ones designed to hold up even if quantum computers become powerful enough to break some of the math behind current public-key cryptography.

If your job touches security, infrastructure, or risk, PQC is not something you handle "later." The work is less about cryptography theory and more about practical cryptography management: knowing where crypto exists, which systems are exposed, and how you modernize without disrupting operations. That is exactly the kind of real-world problem AQtive Guard is built to help with.

What is PQC?

Post-quantum cryptography refers to cryptographic algorithms designed to resist both classical and quantum attacks. The goal is straightforward:

• Keep data and communications secure in a future where quantum computers may be able to break some widely used public-key methods.
• Make the transition before it becomes an emergency.

Most teams do not fail at PQC because they picked the wrong algorithm. They fail because they did not understand their environment.

Why should you care if quantum computers are not "here yet"?

Because crypto migrations take longer than most organizations think.

PQC becomes urgent due to:

• Hidden crypto everywhere: libraries, apps, APIs, devices, third-party services
• Dependency chains: you cannot upgrade what you do not own or cannot see
• Operational risk: changing crypto touches authentication, data flows, and uptime
• Long-lived data: some data stays valuable for years, and you do not want it exposed later

The smart move is to turn PQC into a controlled program, not a scramble.

The most useful way to think about PQC

Instead of "we need PQC," the better mindset is:

We need to understand and manage cryptography at scale, so we can upgrade safely when required.

That means:

• inventory cryptography usage
• identify weak or legacy implementations
• prioritize what matters most
• track remediation
• build crypto agility so future upgrades are easier

This is why PQC is tightly connected to enterprise cryptography management.

A quick PQC readiness checklist

If you want a simple gut-check, ask these questions:

1. Do we know where our cryptography is used? Not in theory. In reality. Across apps, services, and dependencies.
2. Do we know which systems use algorithms that may need to change? Including old libraries and embedded systems.
3. Do we have a way to prioritize? Internet-facing systems, high-value data, critical workflows.
4. Do we have owners and timelines? Unclear ownership is one of the biggest blockers.
5. Can we measure progress? Percent inventoried, percent prioritized, percent remediated, critical exposures remaining.

If any of those are "no," start there.

PQC in the real world: what teams actually do first

Step 1: Discovery and inventory

You need visibility into:

• where crypto lives
• what algorithms and key sizes are used
• what libraries and open-source dependencies are involved
• where the highest-risk usage sits

Step 2: Prioritize the highest-risk exposure

Prioritization usually starts with:

• systems exposed to the internet
• sensitive data with long retention
• systems that are hardest to update
• vendor dependencies with long lead times

Step 3: Plan remediation waves

Most organizations need waves, not a single migration event:

• quick wins where upgrades are straightforward
• coordinated upgrades where protocols or vendors are involved
• longer tail modernization for legacy systems

AQtive Guard is built for teams that need continuous visibility and a way to manage the work across owners and systems.

The simplest definition of success

A PQC program is succeeding when:

• you can explain where crypto is used
• you can show which systems are most exposed
• you can demonstrate remediation progress
• you are building crypto agility for future change

That is the difference between "we are aware of PQC" and "we are ready."

To move from definitions to a plan:

• AQtive Guard
• SandboxAQ