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Quantum Safe: Protect your encrypted data

Attackers are already stealing encrypted data so they can unlock it once quantum computers are powerful enough. 

The NCSC ( National Cyber Security Centre) has set 2035 as the target for UK organisations to complete their move to quantum-safe cryptography, and the first milestone is 2028. Organisations that start now can choose their path.

Those that wait will be migrating under pressure.

 

Quantum Safe Explained

 Most internet encryption relies on maths that today’s computers cannot solve in a practical time. Quantum computers are expected to solve some of them, which would make much of that encryption easy to break. 

 

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Quantum computers threaten today's encryption

Most internet encryption relies on maths that today’s computers cannot solve in a practical time. Quantum computers are expected to solve some of them, which would make much of that encryption easy to break. 

 

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Attackers can steal data now and read it later

 Criminals and state actors can copy encrypted data today and decrypt it once quantum technology arrives. Data that must stay confidential for 10+ years, such as patient and financial records, is already at risk. 

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Quantum safe means moving to new algorithms

 Post-quantum cryptography resists quantum attacks. Migrating touches applications, servers, devices and suppliers, so the first step is knowing where your encryption lives. 

Quantum safe, explained

 Most internet encryption relies on maths that today’s computers cannot solve in a practical time. Quantum computers are expected to solve some of them, which would make much of that encryption easy to break. 

 

triangle-exclamation-solid
Quantum computers threaten today's encryption

Most internet encryption relies on maths that today’s computers cannot solve in a practical time. Quantum computers are expected to solve some of them, which would make much of that encryption easy to break. 

 

user-hoodie-duotone-solid
Attackers can steal data now and read it later

 Criminals and state actors can copy encrypted data today and decrypt it once quantum technology arrives. Data that must stay confidential for 20+ years, such as patient and financial records, is already at risk. 

brain-circuit-solid
Quantum safe means moving to new algorithms

 Post-quantum cryptography resists quantum attacks. Migrating touches applications, servers, devices and suppliers, so the first step is knowing where your encryption lives. 

1 in 3 chance that quantum breaks current encryption within a decade.

Global Risk Institute Quantum Threat Timeline Report, SecurityWeek, 2025

The NCSC Deadline

 In March 2025, the NCSC set a three-milestone timeline for UK organisations to move to post-quantum cryptography.
It is guidance rather than law, but regulators, insurers and auditors are likely to measure your progress against it. 

 

NOW 2-1

Prepare

Agree ownership, find your quantum risks and rank them.

2028 2

Discover & Plan

Define your migrations goals, complete a full discovery of the cryptography across your estate, and build an initial migration plan.

2031 2-1

Prioritise & Start

Complete your early, highest priority migration activities and refine the plan into a full roadmap.

2035 2

Finish Migration

Migration is complete across your system, services and products.

  • Now

    Begin discovery discussions and planning ahead.

  • 2028

    Complete a full discovery of your estate, and build an initial migration plan.

  • 2031

    Have migrated your critical prioritised assets.

  • 2035

    Migration is complete across your systems, services and products.

 

Discovery is the slowest part of the process. Starting today leaves time to choose your path.

Built for the people who own the decision

Select your role to see what the assessment answers for you.

Know what is exposed and what migration will disrupt

You own the infrastructure and applications that hold the data. The assessment shows which systems use vulnerable cryptography and how to sequence the work so the business keeps running.

  • A complete inventory of cryptography across your estate
  • A target architecture your delivery teams can build to
  • A sequenced plan that protects live services

 

Show regulators and insurers a credible plan

You are accountable for protecting the data and for evidencing that protection. The assessment gives you a prioritised risk register and a plan you can put in front of auditors.

  • A risk register ranked by sensitivity, criticality and exposure
  • A clear view of your position against NCSC timelines
  • Evidence to support audit and insurance conversations

Turn an open-ended risk into a budget line

Quantum migration is a multi-year programme. The assessment converts it into a phased, costed roadmap that the board can approve, rather than an unknown liability.

  • A costed, phased migration roadmap
  • A board-ready executive summary
  • Clear priorities, so spend follows risk

 

Your Quantum Safe Assessment

A structured five-step assessment, delivered by IBM and Celerity experts, takes you from cryptographic uncertainty to a board-ready plan.

webinar
Cyber Gradient1

Executive Briefing

Align leadership on quantum risk and the NCSC milestones.
Cyber Gradient2

Cryptographic discovery

Scan applications and infrastructure with IBM Quantum Safe Explorer to build a Cryptographic Bill of Materials.
Cyber Gradient3

Risk and gap analysis

Rank vulnerable algorithms by data sensitivity, criticality and regulatory exposure.
Cyber Gradient4

Roadmap and next steps

Design a post-quantum ready future state aligned to NCSC guidance. A costed, prioritised plan with a clear pathway for migration. 

white paper

Download the datasheet

Our two-page datasheet helps you understand what quantum safe means for your organisation, how the five-step assessment works and exactly what you receive.

 

Download datasheet
Screenshot 2026-11-02 113304

Preparing for Quantum: Insight from Celerity & IBM specialists

Our cyber security consultant Holly Ellwood and IBM's Hamish Cunningham give a short introduction to why quantum safe migration matters now, and what the Quantum Safe Assessment involves.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do we need to be quantum-ready before we start?

No. The assessment begins with discovery, so it works for organisations at any stage. Most arrive without a cryptographic inventory, and building one is the first deliverable.

What is quantum safe cryptography?

Quantum safe cryptography, also called post-quantum cryptography, uses algorithms designed to resist attacks from quantum computers. Organisations need to move their existing encryption onto these algorithms before quantum computers are capable of breaking the current ones. 

Who delivers the assessment?

 An IBM-led workshop delivered by Celerity experts. Celerity is an IBM Platinum Partner with deep experience in IBM Power, IBM i, AIX and mainframe environments, and holds ISO 9001, 14001 and 27001 accreditations. 

Resources

Read more about the Quantum threat and response with our below resources

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Quantum Ready: Securing Data in the NHS

Why harvest now, decrypt later matters for sensitive data, and how to start building a quantum-ready strategy.

Download Whitepaper
Infrastructure Page 1 (2)

Preparing for the Quantum Encryption Threat: What You Need to Know

An introduction to the quantum encryption threat and the practical steps organisations can take now.

Read Blog
Quantum-2

Quantum Ready - Securing Data in the NHS

In this thought-provoking video podcast, Celerity, GovNews and healthcare leaders explore how quantum computing could disrupt digital systems and what that means for data security, resilience, and clinical outcomes.

Watch Podcast