Build PQC into your network roadmap

A few days ago, I shared several posts explaining post-quantum cryptography, why it matters, and how to start preparing.

Today, Cisco published a blog that brings the discussion directly into infrastructure strategy.

PQC belongs in your network roadmap—and your next purchasing decision.

Cisco’s October 22 post makes an important distinction: quantum readiness means protecting both communications and the infrastructure we trust to carry them.

Think about the network in two parts:

• Protecting connections: How applications, sites, users, and cloud services establish secure communications.
• Protecting the equipment: How routers, switches, and firewalls establish their identity, boot trusted software, and verify firmware updates.

A protected connection still depends on trustworthy devices at both ends.

Cisco says it plans to enable quantum-safe communications across the majority of its core portfolio by December 2026, with new networking products planned to include quantum-safe secure boot.

These are roadmap commitments; buyers should verify support for their specific products and software releases.

My takeawayBuild PQC readiness into normal network modernization, with a verified migration path for both secure connections and device trust.

Ask your teams and suppliers:

• Where do we depend on quantum-vulnerable cryptography?
• Which connections carry information with a long confidentiality lifetime?
• Can devices support new algorithms through software, or will hardware need replacing?
• What protects device identity, secure boot, and software updates?
• How will we test interoperability, performance, and fallback behavior?

Crypto-agility means being able to change cryptography as requirements evolve.

Make that capability part of the architecture.

Which devices in your next network refresh have a documented path to post-quantum readiness?

Read Cisco’s blog:

Build Quantum Readiness Into Today’s Infrastructure Strategy: lnkd.in/etMkHiN9

My earlier PQC posts:

· Post 1: THE QUANTUM DEADLINE HAS ENTERED THE BUDGET CYCLE

lnkd.in/p/eE88WGKT

· Post 2: PQC MIGRATION IS NOT A ONE-TIME UPGRADE

lnkd.in/p/evK6qPeu

· Post 3: PQC 101: WHY ENCRYPTION NEEDS TO EVOLVE

lnkd.in/p/gZFrTiJt

· Post 4: PQC: FROM AWARENESS TO ACTION

lnkd.in/p/ehDF8HUn