The Quantum Plot Twist: Why Security Will Never Be the Same

Quantum computers are not powerful enough today to break modern encryption, but experts agree they will be within the next ten years. When they arrive, they could break the digital locks that protect the Internet, financial systems, government networks, and sensitive data worldwide. This creates a serious risk called harvest now, decrypt later. Attackers can steal encrypted data today and wait until quantum computers are strong enough to unlock it.

Because changing cryptography across large organisations usually takes more than a decade, preparation needs to begin now. With eXate this transition can happen much faster because our architectural model allows new algorithms to be introduced without disrupting applications or moving data.

How eXate helps organisations prepare

eXate uses a powerful concept called fragmentation. Instead of keeping data in one place, the platform breaks encrypted information into multiple pieces and stores them in separate systems. No single component ever holds enough information to rebuild the original data on its own.

This design already strengthens security today, and it also makes it easy to adopt quantum safe algorithms in the future. Customers can add quantum resistant methods one step at a time without the usual complexity or long migration projects.

Fragmentation acts as both a strong protection layer and a future proof rail that supports a smooth journey from current encryption to post quantum encryption.

What NIST is doing about quantum risk

NIST, the United States standards body for cryptography, has created a global programme to replace algorithms that will be broken by quantum computers.

On 13 August 2024, NIST approved the first official quantum safe standards:

• ML KEM for secure key exchange

• ML DSA for digital signatures

• SLH DSA for hash based signatures as a high assurance backup

  
  

These standards will become the foundation of quantum safe security worldwide. More standards are in development, and NIST will phase out vulnerable algorithms around 2035, with earlier timelines for high risk systems.

Preparing legacy systems

Many organisations rely on older systems that cannot easily migrate to new cryptographic standards. A major topic at recent quantum security conferences is the use of application level security as a practical mid term strategy.

This approach strengthens protection at the application layer, even if the underlying system cannot yet change its core cryptography. It increases the cost and complexity for attackers and significantly reduces their return on investment.

eXate is well aligned to this approach. Our fragmentation model adds powerful protection across existing systems without requiring deep changes. It dramatically raises the security threshold today while preparing organisations for what is coming next.

eXate as the best risk-based long-term solution

eXate provides a clear, safe, and controllable path to full quantum safe cryptography. Organisations can:

• Protect their most sensitive fields first

• Run classical and quantum safe cryptography side by side

• Expand coverage as performance and standards mature

• Migrate live data without downtime or system rebuilds

  
  

Our platform supports the entire journey, from mid term protection of legacy systems to long term quantum safe security that aligns with NIST’s roadmap.

The bottom line

Quantum computers will eventually break today’s encryption. NIST has already standardised replacements, and migration will take years. This is why organisations must begin preparing now.

eXate provides immediate protection through fragmentation and a flexible path to quantum safe encryption. It ensures that organisations can strengthen their defences today and adopt quantum safe cryptography at the right time, with far less cost, disruption, and risk.