Quantum computing technology has progressed significantly, with tech giants signaling that broad capabilities are near. Google’s Willow chip and Microsoft’s Majorana 1 are moving the field closer to scalable quantum systems, while IBM plans to release Starling—a large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computer—by 2029.
While quantum computing continues to generate interest, its rapid advancement introduces complex challenges. Organizations are eager to unlock its potential, but the pace of development also brings risks. Once accessible to enterprises, quantum capabilities could also reach malicious actors, potentially breaking current encryption and endangering sensitive data and infrastructure.
To stay ahead, cybersecurity teams must prepare now. This includes adopting advanced security architectures and building infrastructure capable of adapting to the demands of the quantum era. A key part of that strategy will be leveraging specialized hardware components like Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), which offer the flexibility, performance, and reconfigurability needed to support complex, fast-evolving security applications.
New Tools for New Technology
Traditional cryptography is built on well-established algorithms that use encryption and decryption keys to secure data. While this model has safeguarded digital systems for decades, quantum computing represents a fundamental shift in computational power—one that could render many of today’s encryption methods vulnerable. With the ability to solve complex mathematical problems exponentially faster than classical systems, quantum computers could break widely used cryptographic protocols with relative ease.
Post-quantum cryptography (PQC) aims to address this issue by introducing variability and complexity into encryption techniques. Algorithms like ML-KEM, LMS, XMSS, and ML-DSA are at the forefront of PQC research, enabling security experts to get ahead of the Cryptographically Relevant Quantum Computer (CRQC) curve by “quantum-proofing” their existing networks and equipment. These algorithms are based on an array of novel mathematical models, including:
- Lattice-based cryptography, which relies on complex problems related to a shape’s unique qualities when represented in n-dimensional space.
- Code-based cryptography, like the McEliece Cryptosystem, which creates public keys by deciphering random linear codes.
- Hash-based cryptography, which uses one-time signature schemes to sign individual messages.
Crypto agility is equally critical in this conversation. As the cryptographic algorithms evolve—whether due to quantum breakthroughs, newly discovered vulnerabilities, or shifting regulatory standards—organizations must be prepared to adapt without overhauling their infrastructure. Crypto agility mitigates this by enabling swift adoption of new algorithms, reducing exposure to evolving threats, and ensuring long-term resilience in an evolving post-quantum security landscape.
More than Mathematical Models
The strength of the system is as dependent on its cyber resilience (its ability to detect, respond to, and recover from cyberattacks in real time) as the complexity of the encryption method. In addition to strong and flexible encryption methods, PQC security solutions must also prioritize key capabilities like:
- Real-time oversight. Ongoing attack monitoring is crucial as it enables prompt identification of threats, enabling teams to respond quickly to minimize the impact of incidents.
- Secure environments. Dynamic Root of Trust (RoT) protocols ensure that cryptographic keys and processes are trusted and valid throughout the system’s lifecycle.
- Continuous operations. Field updateability and rapid recovery mechanisms are both essential in PQC builds, helping to limit downtime caused by updates or incidents.
- Ongoing protection. Post-boot authentication safeguards sensitive data and keys by ensuring all users are authorized, even if the initial identifier has been validated.
Many of these elements come down to the underlying infrastructure and equipment used to support the PQC solution. Each of the above—as well as the advanced encryption methods necessary to protect against quantum threats—is individually complex and demanding. And ensuring a solution can achieve all these at once is a significant challenge.
Security From the Start
While it’s possible to strengthen these qualities in an existing system, they are best achieved when built into the foundation and at the most granular level: hardware components. PQC algorithms can be implemented as software on standard machines utilizing x86, ARM, and other CPUs. However, as quantum threats become more sophisticated, the performance limitations of software-based measures could become too significant to overcome.
To best prepare for the quantum age, engineers will need to get comfortable working with specialized hardware components that act as PQC accelerators, like:
• FPGAs: These compact, energy-efficient semiconductors offer the flexibility and scalability needed to support PQC implementations. Their inherent reprogrammability allows developers to adapt to evolving standards and threat models without replacing hardware — a critical advantage in a rapidly changing security landscape. FPGAs also provide hardware root of trust (RoT) capabilities, low-latency performance, and parallel processing support, all of which are essential for executing complex cryptographic algorithms in real time.
• Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs). ASICs offer developers an incredibly high-performance, small-scale option with low power needs and significant efficiency benefits. However, their fixed-function nature limits adaptability, and the need for custom silicon development can significantly increase cost and time to deployment.
• Graphics Processing Units (GPUs). GPUs offer a flexible and accessible platform for high-throughput PQC workloads, particularly during development and testing phases. Their parallel processing capabilities and broad software support make them attractive for prototyping. However, GPUs typically lack the deterministic, low-latency performance required for real-time cryptographic operations and secure system monitoring, limiting their effectiveness in production-grade PQC deployments.
As quantum computing advances, developers will likely need to combine multiple PQC accelerators to build resilient, future-ready security solutions. Used together, these advanced computing components will enable the development of hardware-enabled PQC models that can protect critical systems both today and in the quantum-powered future.
While CRQCs aren’t yet a practical threat, increasingly sophisticated attacks like Harvest Now Decrypt Later (HNDL)—often powered by AI and emerging technologies—are already putting sensitive data at risk. In these attacks, data encrypted with classical crypto algorithms are “harvested” with the intent to decrypt it in the future once more powerful cryptographic attacks become possible. Investing early in PQC-ready algorithms and adaptable hardware helps organizations secure their operations today and build resilience for tomorrow. Those who act now will be better positioned to leverage quantum computing’s benefits and defend against adversaries.
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