UK sets 2031 deadline for post-quantum cryptography transition

The UK Government has released new guidelines to prepare for the risks posed by future quantum computers. These guidelines focus on migrating to post-quantum cryptography (PQC) to secure technical systems. The timeline sets a goal for full migration by 2031. By 2028, all organizations should have clear migration goals and initial plans. They must also assess their current infrastructure to identify what needs to be updated. By 2031, organizations should prioritize migration tasks and create a detailed roadmap. The final goal is to complete the migration by 2035. This move is necessary because quantum computers will eventually be able to break current cryptographic systems. The government has noted that these advanced computers will solve complex problems faster than today’s technology can manage. Therefore, shifting to PQC will help safeguard data. The report also highlights that the cost of migration may be high, so organizations should plan their budgets accordingly. For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the process may be easier as many services will be updated by vendors. However, they will still need to find compatible software replacements when necessary.