The NCSC has set out what it calls a “perfect storm” of cyber risk: the long-term threat quantum computing poses to today’s encryption, alongside more active nation-state actors and a rise in hacktivism. It’s a reminder that the threat landscape is broadening, not narrowing.

Why it matters

Quantum feels distant, but the principle matters now: attackers can “harvest” encrypted data today and decrypt it later once the technology matures. That raises the stakes for how long your sensitive data stays sensitive, and where it lives.

You don’t need to solve quantum this year, but you do need the fundamentals that make any of these threats harder — strong encryption, tight access control, patched systems and a clear picture of what data you hold and where. We help clients get those foundations right and keep an eye on how the guidance evolves.

“Harvest now, decrypt later”

Quantum computing can feel like a problem for another decade, but one aspect matters today: adversaries can steal encrypted data now and simply store it until the technology matures enough to unlock it. That changes how you should think about anything that must stay confidential for years — legal records, health data, intellectual property. The NCSC is already signalling a move toward quantum-resistant encryption, and “crypto-agility” (the ability to change encryption methods without re-engineering everything) is becoming a sensible design goal.

Foundations that cover every threat

You do not need to solve quantum this year, and you certainly should not let it distract from present-day risks. Reassuringly, the same foundations blunt all of the threats the NCSC describes: strong, well-managed encryption, tight access control, promptly patched systems, and a clear inventory of what data you hold and where it lives. Get those right and you are well placed for the quantum transition when it comes, as well as protected against the nation-state and hacktivist activity happening now. We help clients build those foundations and keep an eye on how the guidance evolves.

Source: ITPro, 23 April 2026.