Quantum Threats to Encryption May Be Closer Than You Think

What if the world’s most trusted cryptographic systems could be broken in just minutes instead of centuries? In this thought-provoking episode of the Brilliance Security Magazine Podcast, David Close, Chief Solutions Architect at Futurex, joins host Steven Bowcut to discuss the very real—and rapidly accelerating—threat that quantum computing poses to modern encryption. With quantum advancements progressing faster than many expected, Close explains why organizations need to act now to safeguard long-term data, and how hybrid and agile cryptographic systems are the key to staying ahead.

Summary

David Close opens the conversation by tracing his own journey from embedded firmware engineering to his current role leading cryptographic innovation at Futurex. He shares how his work with Hardware Security Modules (HSMs)—specialized devices that securely manage encryption keys—laid the groundwork for Futurex’s leadership in enterprise-grade encryption.

The core of the episode centers on the quantum computing threat to current encryption standards like RSA and elliptic curve cryptography. David breaks down the technical implications in accessible terms: quantum computers can solve problems exponentially faster than classical computers, meaning encryption methods that would take millennia to break with today’s machines might be cracked in minutes by quantum processors.

A key highlight is the concept of “Harvest Now, Decrypt Later”—a tactic where attackers steal encrypted data today, intending to decrypt it once quantum technology matures. David emphasizes that this threat is not futuristic; it’s already underway, with critical long-life data like medical records, financial information, and government secrets at risk.

David outlines how Futurex and other leading organizations are proactively adapting. For example, Google and Cloudflare have already implemented hybrid cryptography using both classical and quantum-safe algorithms. Futurex is doing the same across its suite of HSMs and key management solutions, supporting new standards ratified by NIST (including Kyber and Dilithium) and enabling “crypto agility”—the ability to quickly adopt new encryption standards without overhauling infrastructure.

He also shares how Futurex is helping clients through cryptographic discovery, which allows organizations to identify where and how cryptography is being used across their environments. This step is essential for prioritizing risk areas and laying a foundation for a secure, phased migration to post-quantum cryptography.

Finally, David stresses that while the quantum threat is real and imminent, organizations shouldn’t panic—but they must act now. The transition to post-quantum cryptography is already underway, and those who prepare today will be far more secure and resilient tomorrow.