When Quantum Goes from Sci‑Fi to the Boardroom: What Leaders Need to Do Now

HNDL—“harvest now, decrypt later”—isn’t sci‑fi. It’s a planning problem. Here’s how leaders make encryption decisions that still hold up when “later” arrives.

You’ve already had to manage rising cyber‑threats: ransomware, supply‑chain attacks, cloud misconfigurations. Here’s what’s different: the next wave isn’t another malware variant. It’s about encryption—what’s sitting “safely” behind your walls today and that could be exposed tomorrow.

Across forums and professional discussion boards, this phrase keeps appearing—HNDL: “harvest now, decrypt later.” If you haven’t dug in yet, it means adversaries are stealing encrypted data today and using AI now or counting on quantum computing capabilities to decrypt it later. All quantum scientists agree this is plausible. This isn’t fear‑mongering.

A hacker doesn’t need a quantum computer today. They just need your encrypted data—safe with you now—and a future date when they might crack it. The C‑Suite question is simple: “Will our encryption hold up long enough?” It’s the classic scene: an advancing army and a door being battered—how long does it hold?

Why It Matters to You

• If data encrypted today still matters in 2030, you’re already in that “later” window.
• Public‑key systems (like RSA, ECC) carry the most risk. Symmetric systems (AES, etc.) fare better—but the rules are changing.
• A recent survey found less than 25% of organizations are prepared for quantum threats.
• Regulatory and adjacent bodies are urging planning now for the 2035 horizon.

What the Discussion Boards Are Saying

• “Is quantum encryption worth the money?” asked one thread—responses point to vague claims and caution on tech readiness.
• “Internet traffic from today is being captured and held for future decryption,” another comment reads.
• “Although it’s very likely that quantum computers break today’s encryption, the ability may be at least five years away.”

From the grassroots: fear isn’t widespread panic. This is a slow‑burn concern—a nagging sense that the architecture we depend on may not be enough for the horizon. (In most security circles, the more you understand the risk, the louder the alarm bells.)

Simple Action Steps for Your Team

Here are three plain‑language initiatives any executive should ask their team about:

1. What encryption do we rely on and how long will that data matter?
   Ask for an inventory of key systems: where encryption sits, what algorithms are used, how long the data stays.
2. Are we ready to swap algorithms or keys quickly?
   If a standard changes tomorrow, how fast can you respond? Ask about flexibility and crypto‑agility.
3. Where do our human‑to‑machine / machine‑to‑AI workflows connect, and is that a risk point?
   Data flows through APIs, services, between humans and AI or automation—those are increasingly critical zones. Make sure encryption crosses those boundaries.

Leadership Mindset

Think of quantum readiness not as another checklist item but as a new way of looking at your data, your architecture, and time. Fear‑mongering isn’t helpful, but realism is. Many building blocks are already in play (standards, PQC research, vendor readiness). The question is: Will you start early enough?

Encryption choices made now will determine whether your data remains safe when “then” arrives.

Call to Action

Curious about securing the workflows between your teams and the AI‑powered systems or services you deploy? There’s more than tokenization. There’s a design approach to keep your data protected through today’s threats and tomorrow’s cryptographic shifts.

Make Your Workflows Quantum‑Ready

Secure human‑to‑machine and agent‑to‑agent data flows with encryption‑by‑design at the API layer. Talk to our team.

Quantum Readiness & HNDL: FAQs

What does “harvest now, decrypt later (HNDL)” mean?

Adversaries exfiltrate encrypted data today with the intent to decrypt it later as capabilities (AI or quantum computing) advance. If your data retains value for years, HNDL applies to you.

Which encryption is most at risk from quantum computers?

Public‑key (asymmetric) schemes like RSA and ECC face the highest risk. Symmetric algorithms (e.g., AES) fare better but may require larger keys and architecture updates.

How should leaders prepare without over‑rotating on hype?

Start with an inventory of where encryption is used, establish crypto‑agility (ability to change algorithms/keys quickly), and ensure protections extend across APIs and AI/automation workflows.

What is “crypto‑agility” and why does it matter?

Crypto‑agility is your organization’s ability to swap algorithms, keys, and libraries with minimal disruption. It’s the difference between a costly scramble and a smooth upgrade path.

When will quantum computers break today’s encryption?

Timelines vary by source. What matters strategically is the half‑life of your sensitive data. If it must remain confidential for 5–10+ years, act now rather than waiting on a precise date.