Quantum-Ready Cryptography

Quantum-Ready Cryptography refers to the strategic preparation of security infrastructures against the threats that powerful quantum computers pose to classical cryptographic methods. Using algorithms such as Shor's Algorithm, quantum computers will be capable of breaking common asymmetric encryption methods like RSA or ECC within the foreseeable future, thereby compromising the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive financial data. Particularly critical is the so-called 'Harvest Now, Decrypt Later' scenario, in which attackers collect encrypted data today with the intention of decrypting it once sufficiently powerful quantum computers become available. Financial institutions that must protect sensitive customer data, transaction information, and regulatory documents over the long term are therefore already required to reconsider their cryptography strategy. ADVISORI supports financial institutions in identifying concrete areas for action and initiating a structured migration to quantum-resistant methods.

When recommending quantum-resistant algorithms, ADVISORI aligns with the current standards of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), which published its first official Post-Quantum Cryptography standards in 2024, including ML-KEM (CRYSTALS-Kyber) for key encapsulation as well as ML-DSA (CRYSTALS-Dilithium) and SLH-DSA (SPHINCS+) for digital signatures. We additionally take into account the recommendations of the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) as well as relevant European regulatory initiatives that may become binding for the financial sector. Our approach is built on cryptographic agility, enabling your systems to transition flexibly to new standards and algorithms without requiring fundamental architectural changes. In doing so, we always consider your organization's specific requirements with regard to performance, interoperability, and regulatory compliance.

A Quantum Readiness assessment by ADVISORI begins with a comprehensive cryptography inventory, in which all cryptographic methods in use, key lengths, certificates, and dependent systems are systematically recorded and documented. Based on this inventory, our experts analyze the quantum vulnerability of each identified asset and prioritize the need for action according to criticality, protection requirements, and migration complexity. The outcome is a detailed Quantum Readiness Report that evaluates the current maturity level of your security infrastructure, identifies specific risks, and includes a prioritized migration roadmap with clear milestones. In addition, you will receive an assessment of regulatory requirements and a cost-benefit analysis of the recommended measures, which serves as a decision-making basis for your management.

The timeframe for a complete post-quantum migration varies considerably depending on the size of the organization, the complexity of the existing IT infrastructure, and the scope of the cryptographic inventory, but typically ranges from two to five years for mid-sized financial institutions. ADVISORI recommends a phase-based approach that begins with inventory and risk assessment, proceeds through pilot projects in non-critical areas, and is gradually extended to critical systems. The resource requirements encompass both technical capacities for implementing new algorithms and adapting existing systems, as well as organizational measures such as training, process adjustments, and the updating of security policies. ADVISORI supports you throughout the entire migration process and ensures that operational continuity and security are maintained at all times during the transformation.

Regulatory pressure in the area of post-quantum cryptography is continuously increasing for financial institutions, with supervisory authorities such as the EBA, EIOPA, and BaFin increasingly articulating expectations regarding the quantum resilience of critical infrastructures. DORA (Digital Operational Resilience Act) already requires financial institutions today to comprehensively manage their ICT risks and ensure the long-term resilience of their systems, which implicitly includes preparation for quantum threats. The BSI has already published specific guidance on migrating to quantum-resistant algorithms in its technical guidelines and recommendations, and it is foreseeable that these recommendations will be translated into binding regulatory requirements in the coming years. ADVISORI continuously monitors regulatory developments at both national and European levels, ensuring that your Quantum-Ready strategy is designed to be future-proof not only technically, but also from a regulatory perspective.

Compared to classical cryptographic methods, post-quantum algorithms can exhibit larger key and signature sizes as well as different performance characteristics, making careful planning and a thorough testing phase essential. As part of every migration project, ADVISORI conducts comprehensive performance analyses to quantify the impact of new algorithms on latency, throughput, and resource consumption within your specific infrastructure. Based on these analyses, we develop optimized implementation strategies that minimize performance bottlenecks and recommend hardware upgrades or architectural adjustments where necessary. By employing hybrid cryptographic approaches that combine classical and quantum-resistant methods, we also ensure maximum interoperability with existing systems and partners during the transition period.