As federal agencies move to adopt quantum-resistant encryption, the challenge of updating critical technology stacks comes into greater focus. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has published a new reference list highlighting common IT products—such as cloud services, endpoint security tools, and collaboration software—that utilize cryptographic algorithms. While this effort is intended to streamline procurement processes, concerns remain about gaps in the guidance, especially as threats from powerful quantum computers intensify. Security sector voices caution that partial adoption of post-quantum cryptographic standards may leave sensitive systems exposed despite compliance efforts. The urgency is heightened by worries that adversaries could be stockpiling encrypted data today, planning to decrypt it once quantum capabilities mature.
CISA’s posture reflects continuing federal momentum to address quantum threats. While earlier government initiatives and think tank analyses primarily discussed timelines and technical readiness, the new guidance is more explicit about product categories and implementation challenges. However, questions persist regarding full spectrum adoption, notably around digital signatures and authentication, which have seen slower technical progress. Unlike prior statements, which projected optimism about meeting post-quantum deadlines, the present approach exposes operational and procurement complexities that agencies now face. This shift highlights the increased pressure for actionable strategies beyond compliance checklists.
What Does CISA’s Product Guidance Cover?
CISA’s list encompasses a broad set of products routinely bought by government agencies, ranging from Platform-as-a-Service offerings to endpoint encryption tools. Products with post-quantum cryptography (PQC) capabilities are marked as “widely available,” yet their effectiveness is often limited to key agreement and encapsulation protocols. The guide urges both vendors and agencies to prioritize testing and integrating these new standards wherever possible. However, full coverage for digital signatures and authentication is still lagging, leaving some areas reliant on classical cryptographic approaches.
How Are Industry Experts Responding to CISA’s Approach?
Industry leaders express reservations regarding the sufficiency and clarity of CISA’s guidance. Roberta Faux from Arqit described the document as optimized for procurement rather than true security performance, noting the absence of advice on cryptographic inventories or hybrid implementation models.
“The document ends up feeling optimized for procurement compliance rather than security outcomes,”
she said, highlighting the gaps in practical organizational transition measures.
What Challenges Remain in Post-Quantum Adoption?
Security professionals agree that migrating to post-quantum cryptography is complicated by the sheer scale and embeddedness of current encryption methods. Peter Bentley from Patero emphasized the difficulty organizations face in understanding where cryptography is deployed across their systems, stating,
“The hardest part isn’t selecting a post-quantum algorithm—it’s knowing where cryptography actually lives.”
Without robust inventories, claims of being “PQC-enabled” may not translate into real-world secure implementation. Industry analysts also note that most vendor offerings targeting PQC functionality only partially address system requirements, as complete standards are still under development for many functions.
Transitioning to quantum-resistant protocols is not expected to be accomplished quickly. Cryptographic migrations can span decades, as stakeholders must resolve issues related to interoperability, measurement of performance trade-offs, and upgrades to back-end infrastructure. Some post-quantum algorithms recognized by the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) have yet to see production-ready implementation, adding further complications to the process.
Efforts to move to quantum-resistant infrastructure reflect a broader recognition that compliance alone will not suffice. Organizations considering quantum-safe upgrades should invest in comprehensive cryptographic discovery, clear inventory processes, and develop hybrid strategies suited to their operational context. Because only partial resistance may exist across various systems, stakeholders must consider defense-in-depth approaches that supplement procurement guidance with tailored risk assessments. Staying apprised of standards developments, tracking vendor progress, and preparing for long evolution cycles can help organizations mitigate exposure while full PQC solutions mature.
