A typical AV deployment runs for a decade. With that in mind, think about the systems currently being specified for conference rooms, signage networks, or control environments. They will still be operating well into the 2030s. That hardware lifespan is normal for Pro AV.

Consider a large enterprise estate: 600 meeting rooms deployed across Europe between 2024 and 2027. Every room contains networked AV endpoints that verify firmware updates and remote management access using today’s public-key cryptography. If those devices cannot change algorithms later, the trust chain expires the moment post-quantum standards become mandatory. The displays will still work. The microphones will still capture audio. What fails is the mechanism that…