The quantum countdown: How financial services can start preparing today

There’s a lot of talk right now about artificial intelligence, automation and blockchain. But quietly, in the background, another technological shift is gathering pace, which is one that will redefine the foundations of digital security and trust.

Quantum computing has moved from theory to practicality faster than anyone expected. What used to be considered a far-off concept is now an engineering reality. And for financial services, that has huge implications.

While quantum computing will bring enormous benefits from advanced modelling to fraud detection and optimisation, it will also render today’s public-key cryptography vulnerable. The RSA and ECC algorithms that protect everything from payments and trading to identity and messaging will no longer be secure.

The day that happens, which often called “Q day," will mark the biggest change to cybersecurity in a generation.

The new urgency of trust

Financial institutions have always been built on trust. The ability to secure transactions, authenticate users and safeguard data is fundamental to market confidence. But the rapid progress in quantum technology is compressing the timelines we once assumed we had.

The US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has already finalised its first set of post-quantum cryptographic (PQC) algorithms. Regulators across EMEA, through initiatives such as DORA and eIDAS 2.0, are now reinforcing the expectation that institutions will plan for the long-term resilience of their cryptographic systems.

The direction is clear: PQC readiness will soon become a compliance expectation. But more importantly, it’s an opportunity for leadership.

Step one: Start with visibility

At DigiCert, we recently published our RADAR Threat Intelligence Brief, and one of the clearest lessons it revealed is that even before quantum arrives, digital infrastructure remains fragile. The report tracked record-scale DDoS attacks and a dramatic rise in DNS misconfigurations across industries.

These aren’t abstract figures; they show how complex and interconnected our trust landscape has become. Visibility is the foundation of resilience. The first step toward PQC is knowing what cryptographic assets exist across your environment, where they reside and what algorithms they depend on.

Without that map, you can’t manage the transition confidently.

Step two: Build crypto agility

For decades, cryptography has been something most organisations set once and left untouched for years. Quantum changes that.

Crypto agility — the ability to adapt algorithms, keys and certificates dynamically — will define the next phase of security. That means automating discovery, renewal and rotation, and establishing governance that makes cryptographic change part of ongoing operations rather than a one-off project.

Crypto agility ensures you can migrate efficiently when the time comes, without disruption or risk to critical systems.

Step three: Treat PQC as transformation, not just protection

Preparing for PQC isn’t only about defence. It’s also a catalyst for modernising trust infrastructure. Financial services are already evolving toward instant payments, open banking and digital identity. Each of these relies on verifiable, resilient cryptography.

By taking steps now, institutions can strengthen the reliability and transparency of their trust models while building a foundation for innovation. PQC readiness and digital transformation aren’t separate paths, they’re part of the same journey.

Step four: Plan collaboratively

No organisation can tackle the quantum transition in isolation. Financial institutions should work with technology providers, regulators and standards bodies to share best practices and align on timelines.

Pilot projects using quantum-safe algorithms are a good place to begin. Test them in controlled environments. Build internal expertise. Establish a migration roadmap that evolves as standards and technologies mature.

Turning urgency into opportunity

Quantum computing represents both a challenge and an opportunity for financial services. It’s a reminder that digital trust isn’t static, it’s an evolving discipline.

By starting now and gaining visibility, building agility and preparing migration strategies, the industry can stay ahead of disruption and turn preparedness into competitive strength.

Financial services have always been at their best when anticipating change, not reacting to it. The same is true here. Quantum computing will transform how we secure trust, and those who act early will define what trusted finance looks like in the decades to come.