A calm, planned path to quantum-safe payments
We help banks, processors and payment networks prepare for post-quantum cryptography (PQC): finding where cryptography is used, making systems crypto-agile and planning a phased migration aligned with National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) standards.
What our clients are up against
Knowing where cryptography lives
Cryptography sits in hardware security modules (HSMs), certificates, cards, terminals, applications and vendor products, and a complete inventory is rarely in one place.
Long-lived devices and data
Cards, terminals and HSMs stay in service for years, and some data must remain confidential for longer still.
Guidance still taking shape
NIST has finalized its first PQC standards, while card schemes, vendors and regulators continue to publish their own guidance and timelines.
How we cover Quantum-Safe Payments
Cryptographic inventory and prioritization
Build a clear picture of where and how cryptography is used.
- Cryptographic inventory across applications, infrastructure and vendors
- Classification of algorithms, key sizes and data lifetimes
- Prioritization by data sensitivity and system lifespan
- "Harvest now, decrypt later" exposure assessment
Crypto-agility and architecture
Make algorithms replaceable without rebuilding the systems that use them.
- Crypto-agility design patterns and centralized cryptographic services
- Hybrid classical and post-quantum schemes during transition
- Public key infrastructure (PKI) and certificate lifecycle planning
- Transport Layer Security (TLS) migration for APIs and network links
- Performance and message-size testing of PQC algorithms
Standards and payment ecosystems
Map the Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) NIST published in August 2024 to payment systems.
- FIPS 203: Module-Lattice-Based Key-Encapsulation Mechanism (ML-KEM)
- FIPS 204: Module-Lattice-Based Digital Signature Algorithm (ML-DSA)
- FIPS 205: Stateless Hash-Based Digital Signature Algorithm (SLH-DSA)
- EMV card and terminal impact, including offline data authentication
- Symmetric key review for PIN and cryptogram processing
Key management and vendor readiness
Prepare the hardware, processes and partners that hold your keys.
- HSM algorithm support, firmware and upgrade path assessment
- Key management lifecycle updates for post-quantum keys
- Vendor and HSM readiness questionnaires and evaluations
- Phased migration roadmaps aligned with scheme and regulator guidance
Ways to work with us
Architecture review
A cryptographic inventory and readiness assessment of your payment estate, with a prioritized list of what to change first.
Migration planning
A phased PQC roadmap that follows your hardware refresh cycles, vendor plans and published guidance.
Vendor selection
An independent evaluation of HSM, PKI and platform vendors' post-quantum support and roadmaps.
Build your team's capability
These proposed modules would bring security, architecture and key management teams to a shared understanding of PQC, delivered as a standalone program or tailored to your estate.
Request informationModules (some proposed)
- Post-Quantum Cryptography Fundamentals for Payment Teams
- Cryptographic Inventory and Crypto-Agility Workshop
- NIST PQC Standards: ML-KEM, ML-DSA and SLH-DSA
- PQC Impact on HSMs, PKI and TLS
- Quantum Readiness for EMV and Card Ecosystems
- Building a PQC Migration Roadmap
Services, case studies and tools
What does "harvest now, decrypt later" mean for us?
Someone could record encrypted traffic today and store it, hoping to decrypt it if a capable quantum computer becomes available. This matters mainly for data that must stay confidential for many years. It is a reason to prioritize key exchange protecting long-lived sensitive data, not a reason for alarm.
Is symmetric cryptography such as AES affected?
Much less. Known quantum attacks weaken symmetric algorithms only modestly, and 256-bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) keys are widely regarded as adequate. The main change is to public-key algorithms such as RSA and elliptic curve cryptography (ECC), used in TLS, PKI, digital signatures and EMV offline data authentication.
When should we start?
Start with the inventory and crypto-agility work, which pay off regardless of quantum timelines through better visibility and faster response to any algorithm change. Migration steps then follow your hardware refresh cycles and the guidance published by NIST, the card schemes and your regulators.
Do we need to replace our HSMs?
Not necessarily. Some HSM models can add PQC algorithms through firmware updates, while others will need new hardware. We review your current models, certifications and vendor roadmaps with you and fold any upgrades into normal refresh planning.
Start your quantum readiness plan
Talk to a senior consultant about a cryptographic inventory and PQC roadmap.