Post-Quantum • 10 min • 2026-02-26
Post-Quantum Readiness Checklist for Security Teams
A staged checklist to move from awareness to deployable post-quantum controls in production environments.
SEO Summary
Use this post-quantum readiness checklist to inventory crypto usage, stage migrations, and deploy hybrid controls safely.
Step 1: Inventory and classify
Document where cryptography is used, what algorithms are involved, and which data flows require multi-year confidentiality. Prioritize by impact and retention horizon.
Without inventory, migration plans are guesswork. With inventory, teams can sequence high-value transitions first.
Step 2: Enable controlled hybrid paths
Introduce optional hybrid key establishment where feasible, with clear policy flags and rollback mechanisms. Keep defaults stable while collecting compatibility data.
This avoids forcing immediate universal change while still reducing risk for sensitive workloads.
Step 3: Operationalize and review
Set success metrics: handshake reliability, performance impact, support friction, and security event patterns. Publish internal guidance so teams know when to enable each mode.
Readiness is ongoing. Review roadmap milestones on a fixed cadence and update controls as standards and implementations mature.
Quick Action
Apply this guidance with a performance-first VPN baseline and optional post-quantum mode where your data retention risk requires it.
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