VIP Guest Artificial intelligence is transforming industries. Automation is accelerating, and breakthroughs in computing are arriving faster than ever. Among these shifts, quantum computing stands out as one of the most consequential developments. Not because it changes how we use technology today, but because future large-scale quantum computers could undermine the cryptographic foundations on which today’s digital economy relies, particularly in sectors such as financial services.
Post-quantum cryptography has recently seen rapid development and adoption by major players, such as Cloudflare, a global internet infrastructure provider. According to Cloudflare, more than 50% of human internet traffic to its network already supports post-quantum cryptography in TLS connections, marking a major milestone in the transition to quantum-resistant internet security. At the same time, new research continues to shorten estimates of when quantum computers could break today’s encryption standards, while organizations still need many years to upgrade their existing systems.
- Experts Are Aligning on the Same Warning
Leading analyst firms, including Gartner, and standardization bodies such as NIST already treat the impact of quantum computing on today’s encryption as a realistic, near-term issue. When multiple independent analysts warn that commonly used cryptographic methods could eventually be broken within the next decade, it changes how organizations plan their security strategies. Post-quantum authentication is no longer confined to academic debate. Many organizations are beginning to evaluate it as part of their long-term security strategy.
- Banks Are Increasingly Requiring Quantum-Ready Solutions in New Projects
In financial services, the shift is already visible in procurement. Banks and fintech companies are increasingly requiring quantum-ready authentication capabilities in new tenders because the systems they deploy today are expected to protect customers and transactions for many years. Choosing a solution that cannot withstand the quantum transition would mean costly replacements, operational disruption, and potential regulatory exposure down the line. For many institutions, quantum-safe authentication is moving from a future consideration to a baseline requirement for new deployments.
- Governments Are Setting Clear Transition Timelines
Regulators are no longer speaking in vague terms about quantum risk. Across Europe, North America, and parts of Asia, governments are publishing concrete guidance and transition timelines for post-quantum cryptography. A key concern is the so-called “harvest now, decrypt later” scenario, in which encrypted data stolen today can be stored and unlocked in the future once quantum computers become powerful enough. By urging organizations to begin migrating before the end of the decade, authorities are signaling that post-quantum security is about long-term resilience rather than a last-minute response.
The concern is also economic: according to estimates from KPMG , the post-quantum cybersecurity market grew by approximately $1.5 billion in 2024 alone and could reach $7.6 billion by 2027, reflecting the scale of investments required to secure digital infrastructure against quantum threats.
- The Impact Goes Far Beyond One System
Quantum risk does not affect a single product or isolated tool. It touches the cryptographic foundations of authentication, payments, digital signatures, encrypted network connections, mobile apps, and internal systems. For large banks and enterprises running thousands of applications, reviewing and upgrading these components is a complex, multi-year effort. That is why post-quantum security is increasingly treated as a structured transformation program, often starting with customer authentication as the most visible and critical entry point.
- Quantum Computing Progress Is Accelerating
Quantum computers capable of breaking today’s widely used cryptographic systems do not yet exist. But progress is real and accelerating. Major technology companies, including Microsoft, IBM, and Google continue to increase qubit counts, improve error correction, and publish roadmaps targeting fault-tolerant systems within the next decade. The exact breakthrough moment is impossible to predict, and that uncertainty is precisely the challenge. Cryptographic transitions take years to execute, so waiting for absolute certainty could leave organizations with too little time to respond. Preparing now preserves flexibility and control later.
At the same time, the broader quantum ecosystem is expanding rapidly. According to Juniper Research, investment in post-quantum security technologies could reach $1.2 billion as early as 2026 and grow to more than $13 billion by 2035, representing over 1000% market growth during that period.
Post-quantum authentication is no longer a speculative topic. It is becoming a practical requirement as signals from analysts, regulators, customers, and technology providers continue to align. The question is no longer if quantum disruption will happen, but whether organizations will be ready in time. Post-quantum authentication is about maintaining long-term trust in digital services and enabling institutions to adapt as standards evolve. That is exactly why we designed our authentication solutions to be cryptographically agile and ready to support the transition to post-quantum security as standards mature.
For more information, visit www.wultra.com.
This article is contributed by Petr Dvorak, CEO and Founder of Wultra