EU Member States, with support from the European Commission, have released a roadmap and timeline to begin adopting post-quantum cryptography (PQC) — an advanced cybersecurity method designed to withstand future quantum computing threats. The plan outlines that all Member States should begin transitioning to PQC by end of 2026, with critical infrastructure required to switch by 2030.
Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Technological Sovereignty, emphasized that PQC is vital for securing Europe’s digital infrastructure as quantum technologies evolve. While quantum computing offers major benefits in fields like healthcare and climate science, it also poses serious cybersecurity risks. PQC addresses these by using encryption that is resistant even to quantum attacks.
The strategy was developed in response to the Commission’s April 2024 recommendation and reflects an urgent need for action amid rapid quantum advancements. The work of national QCI projects provides a strong foundation for this initiative.
Image source: https://ec.europa.eu/newsroom/dae/redirection/document/117507
