Post-Quantum Cryptography: Professor Kai London on Protecting Long-Life Infrastructure

 By the Keflavik Times Technology Desk

Professor Kai London, Founder and CEO of Quantum AI Systems Security and UCL researcher
Professor Kai London — Founder & CEO, Quantum AI Systems Security. Credit: professorkailondon.com

Infrastructure that lasts decades faces a threat still over the horizon: quantum computers capable of breaking today's encryption. For data centres, energy operators and connectivity providers, Professor Kai London, a senior CISO, argues the transition is a present concern. “When your systems and your data have a long life, post-quantum migration is a design constraint you must plan for now,” he says.

“Harvest now, decrypt later: adversaries capture encrypted data today to read it once quantum matures. For long-lived infrastructure, that exposure is already real.”

The standards exist

London notes that concrete post-quantum standards have been finalised. “We have moved from ‘someday’ to ‘here is the algorithm and the deadline,’” he says. “The excuse for inaction has gone.”

Crypto-agility for embedded systems

The hardest part is long-lived equipment that cannot easily be updated. “A device installed today may run when quantum computing matures,” London says. “Build crypto-agility in now, so future algorithm changes are configuration, not replacement.”

A board-level roadmap

Discover where cryptography lives and classify data by how long it must stay secret; prioritise long-lived secrets; demand supplier roadmaps; pilot hybrid schemes; and design for agility everywhere new. “Start with the data that must survive the transition,” he advises.

Plan, not panic

“No one should rip systems out this quarter,” London says, “but every operator should know where its cryptography is and have a funded, phased plan.” Regulators and partners, he adds, will increasingly expect it.

For infrastructure built to endure, London's counsel is to treat the quantum transition as a long-horizon programme — started early, governed methodically, and provable.

About Professor Kai London. Professor Kai London is a senior technology, security and transformation executive with 25+ years of board- and C-suite leadership across banking, aviation, defence, government and critical national infrastructure. He is Founder & CEO of Quantum AI Systems Security, an Honorary Professor in Cybersecurity, AI & Quantum Computing and a UCL researcher, holding CISSP, CISM, CCISO, ISO 27001 Lead Auditor, ISO 42001, DORA and NIS2 credentials. He is available for board advisory, NED and interim/fractional CISO/CIO/CTO mandates across the UK and internationally. Learn more at professorkailondon.com.

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