The post-quantum security transition is emerging as one of the most pressing challenges facing enterprise and government infrastructure, as “harvest now, decrypt later” attacks — in which adversaries steal encrypted data today to unlock once quantum computers mature — move from theory to active concern.

Estimates for when quantum machines become a credible threat have steadily compressed from mid-century toward the end of this decade, and regulators are responding. In June, a U.S. executive order set new federal post-quantum deadlines for the most sensitive systems. Yet the underlying issue is not quantum-specific, according to José R. Rosas-Bustos (pictured), chief executive officer of EigenQ Inc.

“The fact is that…