Microsoft Targets 2029 for Post-Quantum Cryptography Transition in Critical Services
Summary
Microsoft says it will move critical products and services to post-quantum cryptography by 2029, citing a shifting quantum-risk horizon and urging organizations to prepare. It did not specify what advances prompted the acceleration.
Key points
- Microsoft plans to transition critical products and services to post-quantum cryptography by 2029 through its Quantum Safe Program.
- The company says advances in quantum research may bring cryptographically relevant quantum computers sooner than previously expected, but did not detail the advances behind its assessment.
- Microsoft identifies “harvest now, decrypt later” attacks—storing encrypted data for possible future decryption—as a concern.
- Its preparation priorities include adopting protocols such as TLS 1.3, building crypto-agility, and modernizing cryptographic trust chains.
- Microsoft says it will track quantum-safe readiness within its Secure Future Initiative.
Article Details
- Event Type
- Microsoft accelerated its quantum-safe security roadmap and announced a planned transition of critical products and services to post-quantum cryptography by 2029.
- Impact
- The plan responds to the risk that future quantum computers could decrypt data stolen and stored today. Microsoft says organizations should begin preparing now by modernizing network cryptography, building crypto-agility, and updating cryptographic trust chains. The article says current quantum computers cannot crack modern encryption and Microsoft has not publicly detailed what prompted the accelerated timeline.