Most popular public-key algorithms can be efficiently broken by a sufficiently powerful quantum computer.

From a security point of view, the possible emergence of a large-scale quantum computer in the not-so-far future can then no longer be ignored. This threat has potentially an immediate effect on the security of our most sensitive data. Encrypted long-life secrets (such as medicals records) can be collected, stored today and decrypted once quantum computers become available.

We do not expect to “pick a winner”. Ideally, several algorithms will emerge as ‘good choices’ Dustin Moody.

Quantum computing risk cannot be ignored. "Without cryptography, we essentially need to “unplug” from the ICT infrastructure, and stop using untrusted parties and media. This is simply not practical for the majority of applications, including anything involving a financial transaction that uses real-time communication (credit card purchases, money transfers, online banking, etc.), online communication (e-mail, texting, social media, etc), online advertising, e-health, and so on." M. Mosca.

On Wednesday, January 2022, President Biden signed a National Security Memorandum on Improving the Cybersecurity of National Security, Department of Defense, and Intelligence Community Systems. This is the first time that any White House national security directive has mentioned quantum-resilient cryptography in the context of federal cybersecurity planning and is a monumental step in the right direction toward quantum cybersecurity.