Quantum computing is no longer a far-off academic experiment. It's an approaching reality that will break many of the cryptographic foundations we rely on to protect sensitive data. Recognizing this, the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security has released a roadmap for migrating to post-quantum cryptography (PQC), offering clear guidance for government departments and agencies to prepare before it’s too late.
At Critical Path Security, we’ve been tracking these developments closely, helping our clients understand the operational impacts of PQC while cutting through the quantum hype. Here’s what you need to know.
What the Canadian Roadmap Says
The guidance outlines a staged approach:
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Inventory and assessment: Identify where cryptography is used, what data is protected, and which systems will need PQC migration.
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Develop a transition plan: Prioritize systems based on sensitivity and exposure to long-term confidentiality risks.
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Test and integrate PQC: Begin testing candidate PQC algorithms alongside existing cryptography to evaluate performance and compatibility.
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Migrate: Transition to approved PQC standards once they are finalized and implementation guidance is provided.
The roadmap aligns with NIST and other international efforts, emphasizing the urgency of preparation while acknowledging that widespread PQC deployment will take years.
Why It Matters for Organizations Everywhere
Data encrypted today with classical cryptography may be stored by adversaries for decryption once quantum capabilities mature, a concept known as “harvest now, decrypt later.” This is a concern for any sector with long data confidentiality requirements, including legal, healthcare, finance, and critical infrastructure.
While the guidance is directed at Canadian government entities, it is relevant for any organization aiming to maintain forward-looking resilience in its security posture.
Practical Steps You Can Take Now
At Critical Path Security, we recommend organizations begin with:
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Cryptographic asset inventory: Identify where and how cryptography is used across your environment.
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Vendor readiness discussions: Ask your suppliers how they plan to support PQC.
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Staying informed: Track NIST’s PQC standardization efforts and guidance from your local cyber authorities.
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Lab testing: Begin testing PQC candidates in controlled environments to evaluate impacts on performance and interoperability.
We Can Help You Prepare
Post-quantum migration is not a single event but a multi-year, layered process. It is also an opportunity to clean up cryptographic sprawl, strengthen key management, and build resilience into your infrastructure before quantum computers render classical cryptography obsolete.
Critical Path Security partners with organizations to assess cryptographic readiness, design migration roadmaps, and integrate post-quantum strategies into their cybersecurity programs.
Quantum threats are coming, but you have time to prepare if you start now. Let’s talk about your organization’s path to post-quantum readiness today.