[Roundtable] How to Design Quantum-Safe Systems - A Post-Quantum Cryptography Migration Plan for Critical Infrastructure

Quantum computing is driving a security transition—not because the “quantum apocalypse is tomorrow,” but because long-lived data and systems in finance, government identity, healthcare, defence, energy networks and communications can be compromised today through “harvest now, decrypt later.” The systemic risk is straightforward: if we wait until the last minute, migration becomes chaotic, expensive, and operationally disruptive while compromising critical systems.

This is a how-to roundtable for moving from PQC awareness to execution. Banks, big tech, government, security agencies and critical infrastructure operators will align on practical steps: cryptographic inventory, crypto-agility, standards alignment, vendor and supply-chain readiness, procurement language, testing, and staged migration—so organisations can upgrade without breaking interoperability or service continuity.

Outcomes: Insights from discussions will contribute towards GFTN's work on a practical Quantum-Safe Migration Starter Pack with priority systems list, decision points, recommended timelines and a minimum target state for crypto-agility plus a shortlist of “next-wave” opportunities worth piloting.