G7 Cybersecurity Working Group call to action on preparing for the post-quantum era

Canada is joining its G7 Cybersecurity Working Group partners in releasing the Preparing for the Post-Quantum Era: A Call to Action , a joint publication highlighting the growing risks that quantum computing poses to current public-key cryptography and urging organizations to begin transitioning to post-quantum cryptography (PQC) now. The publication emphasizes that while the timeline for cryptographically relevant quantum computers (CRQCs) remains uncertain, organizations face immediate risks such as "harvest now, decrypt later" attacks. In these attacks, threat actors collect encrypted data now, with the intention of decrypting it in the future using quantum computing capabilities. It also warns that quantum-enabled attacks could compromise authentication mechanisms, enabling attackers to impersonate trusted entities, forge data, and undermine secure communications. The publication recommends ways to support a coordinated global transition to PQC . To help organizations and governments prepare for the transition, the publication outlines five priority areas for action: raising awareness of quantum-related cybersecurity risks and the benefits of PQC developing national strategies