Mike Vizard talks with Ben Volkow, co-founder and CEO of QIZ Security, about why post-quantum cryptography is becoming an urgent priority for enterprise cybersecurity leaders. Volkow explains that quantum computers are expected to eventually break widely used encryption methods such as RSA and ECC, creating a risk to the digital trust that protects emails, networks, databases, source code, suppliers, vehicles, financial systems and critical infrastructure. The conversation frames Q-Day as more than a future technical milestone. It is a business continuity issue that requires organizations to understand where cryptography exists today, which assets are most exposed and how long migration to quantum-safe encryption may actually take.

Volkow notes that standards bodies such as NIST have already advanced quantum-safe algorithms, but the challenge for enterprises is not simply choosing a new algorithm. It is discovering cryptographic assets across complex environments, mapping ownership, prioritizing risk and replacing vulnerable cryptography without disrupting operations. That makes post-quantum cryptography a multi-year transformation rather than a quick upgrade. For banks, federal agencies, defense organizations, critical infrastructure providers and large enterprises, the timeline is especially tight because migration programs can take five to 10 years while quantum risk continues to move closer.

The discussion also examines why AI priorities are competing for budget and attention even as quantum security deadlines approach. Volkow argues that organizations do not need to boil the ocean to get started. Instead, cybersecurity teams should begin with practical steps: build an inventory, secure the perimeter, address TLS, review algorithms and certificates, assess source code and work through third-party supplier exposure. His advice is to treat quantum readiness as a muscle that improves through action. By starting now, security leaders can build crypto-agility, reduce future disruption and prepare their organizations for a quantum-safe future before Q-Day forces the issue. The result is a clear roadmap for turning post-quantum cryptography planning into measurable security progress before quantum risk becomes an operational crisis.