Protect Your Data:
Quantum Resilience Starts Now

By Broadcom Mainframe Software

Broadcom experts outline mainframe security issues and opportunities

Quantum computing is developing rapidly and bringing new threats to today’s encryption capabilities with it.

It’s advancing fast enough to threaten the cryptographic foundations that protect nearly every digital interaction today. Governments are moving, industry leaders are preparing and regulators—including the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the National Security Agency (NSA), Germany’s Federal Office for Information Security (BSI), and the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD)—are already setting deadlines.

The question is:

Are you ready?

Let’s break down what quantum computing really means for mainframe security and outline practical steps you must take today to be secure against attacks from both quantum and classical computers now and in the future.

Here are some key takeaways:

Why Quantum Matters Now

When quantum computers reach ~20,000 logical qubits, it’s estimated that they could solve today’s 2048-bit RSA encryption in just eight hours.¹

An expert estimates a 50% chance by 2031 that current public-key cryptography will be broken.

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Global investment in quantum computing has already surpassed $55 billion USD, with acceleration led by the U.S., China and the European Union.²

Attackers don’t need to wait.

They can “harvest now, decrypt later” by storing encrypted data today and unlocking it once quantum power is available.

BOTTOM LINE

The shift isn’t a matter of if, it’s when. Organizations that act now will be better positioned to protect their customers, systems, data, and reputations.

Your Quantum-Ready Playbook

Broadcom’s guidance for preparing quantum-resistant security is clear: start building resilience today with steps that are actionable, repeatable and scalable.³

1. Build a Clear Picture of Your Cryptography

2. Make a Plan for Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC)

3. Strengthen Systems Today While Preparing for Tomorrow

1. Build a Clear Picture of Your Cryptography

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Pinpoint where cryptography is in use across your applications, software and hardware.
Create a crypto inventory of algorithms, keys and certificates to understand where you’re most exposed.
Prioritize high-risk areas like externally facing applications and sensitive data to guide your remediation plan.

1. Build a Clear Picture of Your Cryptography

2. Make a Plan for Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC)

3. Strengthen Systems Today While Preparing for Tomorrow

2. Make a Plan for Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC)

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Align with the new NIST standards: ML-KEM (FIPS 203), ML-DSA (FIPS 204), and SLH-DSA (FIPS 205).
Plan ahead for your migration timeline, knowing that weaker algorithms will be phased out by 2030 and a full transition is expected by 2035. Some geographies are already calling for accelerated adoption, so timelines may vary by region.
Use hybrid approaches (classical + PQC) to ensure a smooth adoption path.

1. Build a Clear Picture of Your Cryptography

2. Make a Plan for Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC)

3. Strengthen Systems Today While Preparing for Tomorrow

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Replace outdated algorithms like Data Encryption Standard (DES) and Triple DES (TDES).
Move toward Transport Layer Security (TLS) 1.3 and stronger encryption practices now.
Build crypto agility–the ability to pivot quickly as new standards and threats emerge.

Why Act Now?

Simply encrypting your mainframe data at rest isn’t enough to protect against quantum computers. And no, we don’t have “plenty of time” before malicious actors catch up. The technology curve is too steep, and the stakes are too high. The good news: you don’t need to boil the ocean. Start small: Map where cryptography is used in your environment. Replace outdated algorithms. Begin migrating to TLS 1.3.