The race to prepare for the disruptive impact of quantum computing on modern cryptography is entering a more coordinated phase. QuSecure has announced a formal collaboration with the National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (NCCoE) on its Migration to Post-Quantum Cryptography Project Consortium—an initiative designed to help organizations transition from vulnerable public-key systems to quantum-resilient alternatives.
The effort reflects growing urgency across both government and industry. While large-scale quantum computers capable of breaking widely used encryption standards are not yet mainstream, the consensus among security leaders is clear: the time to prepare is now.
At the center of the issue is public-key cryptography, which underpins everything from secure communications to digital identities. Once quantum capabilities mature, many of these algorithms could be rendered obsolete, exposing sensitive data and critical infrastructure to new forms of attack.
From Awareness to Execution
The NCCoE-led consortium is not just focused on raising awareness—it is designed to produce actionable frameworks and implementation guidance. That includes identifying where vulnerable cryptographic algorithms currently exist across enterprise environments and building pathways for migration to standardized post-quantum cryptography (PQC).
“Public-key cryptography is widely used to protect today’s digital information,” said William Newhouse, Security Engineer at NCCoE. “With the advent of quantum computing… it is critical that organizations begin to plan for the technological and operational challenges that a migration to post-quantum cryptography will present.”
QuSecure’s role within the consortium centers on both validation and execution. The company will work alongside other vendors and stakeholders to evaluate automated cryptographic discovery tools, test PQC solutions in NCCoE lab environments, and identify performance gaps across real-world enterprise use cases.
Testing the Limits of Crypto-Agility
A key challenge in post-quantum migration is not simply selecting new algorithms—it is operationalizing crypto-agility at scale. Enterprises must be able to discover, inventory, and replace cryptographic assets dynamically across complex IT and OT environments.
Within the NCCoE project, QuSecure will focus on testing interoperability and implementation performance while surfacing deployment barriers that could slow adoption. This includes coordination with standards bodies and ensuring alignment across industry sectors that may face vastly different risk profiles and infrastructure constraints.
The initial phase of the project will emphasize automated discovery capabilities—tools that can identify instances of quantum-vulnerable algorithms already embedded in enterprise systems. From there, the consortium aims to refine migration strategies and improve consistency in implementation across platforms.
A Cross-Sector Collaboration Model
The NCCoE, part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), has long served as a hub for public-private cybersecurity collaboration. Its consortium model brings together government agencies, technology vendors, and academic institutions to address systemic challenges that no single entity can solve alone.
This initiative continues that model, targeting one of the most complex transitions the cybersecurity industry has faced in decades.
“This collaboration… brings industry leaders together to tackle one of today’s most pressing cybersecurity challenges—the transition to post-quantum cryptography,” said Garfield Jones, SVP of Research & Technology Strategy at QuSecure. “By working across government, industry, and academia, we can help organizations identify quantum-vulnerable systems, manage risk, and prepare for a secure, quantum-resilient future.”
The Long Road to Quantum Resilience
Beyond tooling and standards, the consortium is also tasked with broader outreach—engaging standards development organizations and industry sectors to ensure alignment and accelerate adoption timelines.
The implications extend well beyond IT security. Financial services, healthcare, critical infrastructure, and government systems all depend on cryptographic trust models that must be re-engineered for a post-quantum world.
For organizations, the message is increasingly direct: inventory cryptographic assets now, understand exposure, and begin phased migration planning before regulatory mandates or threat realities force reactive action.
About the NCCoE
The NCCoE was established in 2012 by NIST in partnership with the State of Maryland and Montgomery County, Maryland. It operates as a collaborative environment where practical cybersecurity solutions are developed and tested to address real-world business challenges. More information is available at https://www.nccoe.nist.gov.
About QuSecure
QuSecure is focused on orchestrated crypto-agility and is the creator of its QuProtect R3 platform, designed to help organizations modernize cryptography, identify high-value assets, and maintain continuous compliance while preparing for quantum-era threats. More information is available at www.qusecure.com.