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Quantumize Research

Post-Quantum Cryptography Research

First-party research data, benchmarks, and methodology frameworks for security teams and researchers building post-quantum migration programs. Each section carries a stable anchor URL for direct citation.

Published by Quantumize Research Team — July 2026. Updated as standards and implementation data evolve.

Quantumize Research

Industry Statistics

Quantumize analysis of enterprise PQC readiness based on publicly available survey data, regulatory guidance, and enterprise security assessment findings.

Cryptographic inventory completion

Fewer than 1 in 5 enterprises have completed a comprehensive cryptographic inventory

Based on Quantumize's analysis of publicly available PQC readiness surveys and enterprise security assessment data through mid-2026. A complete inventory is defined as a structured CBOM covering all TLS endpoints, certificates, signing infrastructure, libraries, and firmware.

Quantumize Research Analysis, 2026

Vulnerable algorithms still in active deployment

RSA-2048 and ECDSA P-256 remain the dominant key exchange and signature algorithms across enterprise TLS estates

Quantumize analysis of TLS cipher suite data from enterprise network scans. RSA-2048 and ECDSA P-256 are vulnerable to Shor's algorithm on a cryptographically relevant quantum computer. NIST standardized ML-KEM and ML-DSA as replacements in August 2024.

Quantumize Research Analysis, 2026

Certificate lifetimes in production PKI

A significant share of root CA certificates in enterprise trust stores remain valid through 2030 and beyond, creating long-lived HNDL exposure windows

Based on Quantumize's analysis of publicly accessible certificate transparency log data and enterprise PKI audit findings. Root CA certificates with 20-30 year validity periods represent the longest-lived cryptographic assets in most enterprise estates.

Quantumize Research Analysis, 2026

Time to complete enterprise PQC migration

Enterprise-wide post-quantum migration programs require 18-48 months depending on organizational size, system complexity, and supply chain dependencies

Derived from Quantumize's analysis of published NIST migration guidance (SP 1800-38), NSA CNSA 2.0 timelines, and enterprise IT project benchmarks. Smaller organizations (under 500 employees) with modern cloud-native architectures can achieve migration in 18-24 months. Large enterprises with legacy infrastructure typically require 36-48 months.

Quantumize Research Analysis, 2026

PQC-aware procurement requirements

Most enterprise software procurement processes do not yet include post-quantum cryptography readiness as an evaluation criterion

Based on Quantumize's review of publicly available vendor security questionnaires and RFP templates through mid-2026. Including PQC readiness algorithm support, migration roadmaps, hybrid deployment capability in vendor evaluation criteria is emerging as a best practice following OMB M-23-02 and CNSA 2.0 publication.

Quantumize Research Analysis, 2026

CNSA 2.0 awareness among defense contractors

Awareness of NSA CNSA 2.0 requirements and timelines varies significantly across the defense industrial base

Based on Quantumize's analysis of publicly available defense industry cybersecurity reports and compliance survey findings. NSA CNSA 2.0, released September 2022, specifies algorithm requirements and timelines for National Security Systems. Defense contractors supplying software or systems to NSS operators are directly in scope.

Quantumize Research Analysis, 2026

Library-level post-quantum support

ML-KEM (FIPS 203) and ML-DSA (FIPS 204) support has been added to all major cryptographic libraries, but enterprise deployment of these updates lags significantly behind availability

OpenSSL 3.x, BoringSSL, AWS-LC, Go, Rust, and Python cryptographic libraries all support FIPS 203/204/205 algorithms as of mid-2026. Enterprise estates typically run library versions 12-24 months behind current releases due to change management cycles.

Quantumize Research Analysis, 2026

Quantumize Research

Algorithm Performance Benchmarks

Key size, ciphertext/signature size, and approximate performance comparison across NIST-standardized post-quantum algorithms and classical predecessors.

Performance measurements are approximate figures derived from Quantumize's analysis of NIST PQC evaluation submission benchmarks and Open Quantum Safe (liboqs) reference implementation measurements on modern x86-64 hardware with AVX2 optimizations enabled. Measurements represent reference software implementations and will vary based on hardware, compiler optimizations, and implementation library. Production systems using hardware-accelerated implementations (HSMs, dedicated co-processors) may achieve significantly higher throughput. All measurements are from single-threaded, in-process operations without network or I/O overhead. Classical algorithm figures are provided for relative comparison only; these algorithms are vulnerable to Shor's algorithm running on a cryptographically relevant quantum computer.

Key Encapsulation Mechanisms (KEMs)

AlgorithmSecurity LevelPublic KeyCiphertextKeyGenEncapsDecaps
ML-KEM-512Level 1 (AES-128 equivalent)800 B768 B25μs30μs25μs
ML-KEM-768Level 3 (AES-192 equivalent) Recommended1.2 kB1.1 kB40μs50μs40μs
ML-KEM-1024Level 5 (AES-256 equivalent)1.6 kB1.6 kB60μs70μs60μs
ECDH P-256(quantum-vulnerable)~128-bit classical security (vulnerable to Shor)64 B32 B200μs350μs350μs
ECDH X25519(quantum-vulnerable)~128-bit classical security (vulnerable to Shor)32 B32 B90μs180μs180μs

Digital Signature Algorithms

AlgorithmSecurity LevelPublic KeySignatureKeyGenSignVerify
ML-DSA-44Level 21.3 kB2.4 kB90μs130μs80μs
ML-DSA-65Level 3 (AES-192 equivalent) Recommended2.0 kB3.3 kB140μs185μs110μs
ML-DSA-87Level 5 (AES-256 equivalent)2.6 kB4.6 kB210μs280μs170μs
SLH-DSA-SHA2-128sLevel 1 (small/conservative)32 B7.9 kB5ms2.3s3ms
SLH-DSA-SHA2-256sLevel 5 (small/conservative)64 B29.8 kB8ms3.2s5ms
ECDSA P-256(quantum-vulnerable)~128-bit classical security (vulnerable to Shor)64 B72 B200μs250μs400μs
RSA-PSS-2048(quantum-vulnerable)~112-bit classical security (vulnerable to Shor)256 B256 B45ms600μs30μs

Sources: NIST FIPS 203, 204, 205; Open Quantum Safe liboqs reference measurements. Classical algorithms listed for comparison only.NIST FIPS 203 NIST FIPS 204 NIST FIPS 205

Quantumize Research

Migration Timelines

Phase-by-phase migration timeline model aligned with NIST SP 1800-38, NSA CNSA 2.0, and OMB M-23-02 guidance.

Timeline by Organization Size

Small organization

Under 500 employees

12-18 months

Key factors: Cloud-native architecture, centralized certificate management, limited legacy systems

Medium organization

500-5,000 employees

18-30 months

Key factors: Mixed cloud and on-premises, departmental IT autonomy, multiple certificate authorities

Large enterprise

5,000+ employees

30-48 months

Key factors: Complex legacy infrastructure, multiple business units, global supply chain dependencies, extensive PKI hierarchy

Federal agency

Varies employees

24-36 months (OMB M-23-02 constrained)

Key factors: OMB M-23-02 reporting obligations, CNSA 2.0 requirements for NSS, FedRAMP supply chain coordination

Migration Program Phases

1

Cryptographic Discovery

2-4 months

  • Deploy network scanning tools across all TLS-enabled endpoints
  • Enumerate all X.509 certificates by algorithm and validity period
  • Scan source code repositories and binary dependencies for cryptographic API usage
  • Assess firmware and embedded system cryptographic operations
  • Review supply chain and SaaS provider cryptographic disclosures
  • Compile preliminary CBOM from automated and manual discovery

Deliverable: Cryptographic Bill of Materials (CBOM) covering all identified assets

OMB M-23-02 requires federal agencies to maintain this inventory as a compliance obligation.

2

Risk Assessment and Prioritization

1-2 months

  • Apply risk scoring model to all CBOM entries
  • Classify data sensitivity and confidentiality lifetime for each asset
  • Score system criticality and regulatory context
  • Calculate HNDL exposure score and signature risk score
  • Map migration dependencies between CBOM entries
  • Produce risk-prioritized migration backlog

Deliverable: Risk-scored, prioritized migration backlog with dependency map

NSA CNSA 2.0 timeline compliance assessment should be completed in this phase for NSS operators.

3

Architecture and Planning

2-3 months

  • Design crypto-agile architecture for highest-priority systems
  • Select target post-quantum algorithms per asset type
  • Plan hybrid deployment approach for key exchange systems
  • Develop certificate migration strategy including dual-certificate approach
  • Update HSM and key management platform to support FIPS 203/204/205
  • Define acceptance criteria and testing requirements for migrated systems

Deliverable: Migration architecture design and phased implementation plan

4

Pilot Deployment

3-6 months

  • Deploy hybrid ML-KEM TLS in staging environments
  • Test ML-DSA certificate issuance in non-production PKI hierarchy
  • Validate post-quantum algorithm support in HSMs and signing services
  • Assess performance impact of hybrid schemes in representative traffic profiles
  • Identify integration issues with downstream certificate consumers
  • Document operational runbooks for post-quantum certificate management

Deliverable: Pilot deployment report with performance data, integration findings, and go/no-go recommendation

5

Phase A Production Migration (Highest Priority)

6-12 months

  • Deploy hybrid ML-KEM on all priority-1 TLS endpoints
  • Issue ML-DSA certificates for priority-1 certificate consumers
  • Migrate code signing infrastructure to ML-DSA
  • Update HSM key inventory to include ML-KEM and ML-DSA keys
  • Establish new post-quantum root CA and intermediate CA hierarchy
  • Validate migration completeness against CBOM priority-1 entries

Deliverable: Completed migration of all priority-1 CBOM entries with validation evidence

CNSA 2.0 high-priority system categories may have earlier compliance requirements than the 2033 general deadline.

6

Phase B Production Migration (Remaining Assets)

12-24 months

  • Progressively migrate remaining TLS endpoints to hybrid ML-KEM
  • Expand ML-DSA certificate issuance to remaining certificate consumers
  • Migrate firmware signing infrastructure to SLH-DSA
  • Update application-level cryptography to FIPS 203/204/205 algorithms
  • Coordinate supply chain migration with key vendors and service providers
  • Retire classical-only certificate chains as post-quantum adoption reaches coverage thresholds

Deliverable: Completed migration of all CBOM entries, CBOM updated to reflect completion status

7

Ongoing Governance and Crypto-Agility

Continuous

  • Maintain CBOM currency through change management integration
  • Monitor algorithm compliance in CI/CD pipelines and network traffic
  • Track NIST, NSA, and CISA algorithm guidance updates
  • Execute annual quantum risk assessment refresh
  • Include PQC readiness requirements in vendor procurement criteria
  • Report migration status for regulatory compliance as required

Deliverable: Ongoing: current CBOM, compliance reports, and annual risk assessment

Quantumize Research

Enterprise Cryptography Inventory Examples

Representative CBOM entries across industry sectors. Field values illustrate realistic cryptographic asset characteristics for migration planning.

Financial ServicesFinancial Services: Core Banking API Gateway
assetId: tls-core-banking-api-prod
assetType: TLS_ENDPOINT
location: api.corebanking.internal:8443
algorithm: TLS 1.3 with ECDHE-P256 key exchange, ECDSA P-256 certificate
role: KEY_EXCHANGE + SIGNATURE
dataSensitivity: CRITICAL
confidentialityLifetimeYears: 10
systemCriticality: CRITICAL
regulatoryScope: PCI-DSS, GLBA, SOX
migrationStatus: PLANNED
targetAlgorithm: ML-KEM-768 + X25519 hybrid KEM, ML-DSA-65 certificate
migrationPriority: P1
migrationOwner: platform-security-team
plannedMigrationDate: 2025-Q4
HealthcareHealthcare: Electronic Health Record System
assetId: tls-ehr-provider-portal-prod
assetType: TLS_ENDPOINT
location: ehr.provider.example.com:443
algorithm: TLS 1.3 with ECDHE-X25519 key exchange, RSA-2048 certificate
role: KEY_EXCHANGE + SIGNATURE
dataSensitivity: CRITICAL
confidentialityLifetimeYears: 25
systemCriticality: HIGH
regulatoryScope: HIPAA, HITECH
migrationStatus: NOT_STARTED
targetAlgorithm: ML-KEM-768 + X25519 hybrid KEM, ML-DSA-65 certificate
migrationPriority: P1
migrationOwner: healthcare-it-security
plannedMigrationDate: 2026-Q1
Government / FederalGovernment: Root Certificate Authority
assetId: cert-root-ca-fedpki-001
assetType: CERTIFICATE
location: Federal PKI Root CA, embedded in agency trust stores
algorithm: RSA-4096, SHA-256 signature, 25-year validity
role: SIGNATURE (Trust Anchor)
dataSensitivity: CRITICAL
confidentialityLifetimeYears: 25
systemCriticality: CRITICAL
regulatoryScope: CNSA_2.0, OMB_M_23_02, FISMA
migrationStatus: PLANNED
targetAlgorithm: SLH-DSA-SHA2-256s (post-quantum root CA)
migrationPriority: P1
migrationOwner: federal-pki-authority
plannedMigrationDate: 2026-Q3
Technology / SoftwareSoftware Publisher: Code Signing Infrastructure
assetId: code-signing-key-release-pipeline
assetType: CODE_SIGNING_KEY
location: HSM-cluster-prod / GitHub Actions signing workflow
algorithm: ECDSA P-384, stored in hardware HSM
role: SIGNATURE (Software Authenticity)
dataSensitivity: CRITICAL
confidentialityLifetimeYears: PERMANENT
systemCriticality: CRITICAL
regulatoryScope: CNSA_2.0 (if DoD supply chain)
migrationStatus: IN_PROGRESS
targetAlgorithm: ML-DSA-65 (primary), SLH-DSA-SHA2-256s (backup/root)
migrationPriority: P1
migrationOwner: release-engineering
plannedMigrationDate: 2025-Q4
Energy / Critical InfrastructureCritical Infrastructure: Firmware Signing Root
assetId: firmware-signing-root-ics-devices
assetType: FIRMWARE_KEY
location: Embedded in ROM of 45,000 deployed field devices
algorithm: ECDSA P-256, verification key embedded at manufacture
role: SIGNATURE (Firmware Authenticity)
dataSensitivity: CRITICAL
confidentialityLifetimeYears: 20
systemCriticality: CRITICAL
regulatoryScope: NERC-CIP, NIST-CSF
migrationStatus: NOT_STARTED
targetAlgorithm: SLH-DSA-SHA2-256s (new device production); hardware refresh required for legacy fleet
migrationPriority: P1
migrationOwner: ot-security-team
plannedMigrationDate: 2027-Q1 (new devices); legacy fleet: hardware refresh program
Quantumize Research

CBOM Schema Reference

Standard field definitions for a Cryptographic Bill of Materials (CBOM) entry. Based on Quantumize's analysis of OMB M-23-02 requirements and emerging CycloneDX/IETF CBOM specifications.

FieldTypeRequiredDescriptionExample
assetIdstringRequiredUnique identifier for the cryptographic assettls-api-gateway-prod-001
assetTypeenumRequiredCategory of the cryptographic assetTLS_ENDPOINT | CERTIFICATE | CODE_SIGNING_KEY | LIBRARY | FIRMWARE_KEY | HSM_KEY | API_AUTH_KEY
locationstringRequiredWhere the asset is deployed (host, service, repository, hardware)api.example.com:443 / github.com/org/repo / HSM-cluster-prod
algorithmstringRequiredSpecific cryptographic algorithm and parameters in useECDHE-ECDSA-P256 / RSA-2048-PSS / ECDSA-P256
roleenumRequiredCryptographic role of the assetKEY_EXCHANGE | SIGNATURE | SYMMETRIC_ENCRYPTION | HASH
dataSensitivityenumRequiredSensitivity classification of protected dataPUBLIC | INTERNAL | REGULATED | SENSITIVE | CRITICAL
confidentialityLifetimeYearsinteger | PERMANENTRequiredHow many years the protected data must remain confidential10 / 25 / PERMANENT
systemCriticalityenumRequiredOperational impact if this cryptographic asset failsLOW | MEDIUM | HIGH | CRITICAL
regulatoryScopestring[]OptionalRegulatory frameworks applicable to this asset["HIPAA", "PCI-DSS"] / ["CNSA_2.0"] / ["DORA"]
migrationStatusenumRequiredCurrent status in the migration programNOT_STARTED | PLANNED | IN_PROGRESS | COMPLETED
targetAlgorithmstringOptionalThe post-quantum algorithm this asset will migrate toML-KEM-768+X25519-Hybrid / ML-DSA-65 / SLH-DSA-SHA2-256s
migrationPriorityenumOptionalRisk-scored migration priorityP1 | P2 | P3 | P4
migrationOwnerstringOptionalTeam or individual responsible for migrationplatform-security-team / pki-admin@example.com
plannedMigrationDatedateOptionalTarget completion date for migration2025-Q2 / 2026-06-30

Regulatory basis: OMB M-23-02 . Emerging standard: IETF PQUIP WG .

Quantumize Research

Post-Quantum Migration Maturity Model

Quantumize's six-level maturity model for assessing and benchmarking an organization's post-quantum cryptographic readiness from Unaware through Crypto-Agile.

0

Unaware

No organizational awareness of post-quantum cryptographic risk

The organization has not assessed post-quantum cryptographic risk. Leadership and technical teams are unaware of NIST FIPS 203/204/205, the harvest-now decrypt-later threat, NSA CNSA 2.0 requirements, or OMB M-23-02 obligations. No cryptographic inventory exists and no migration planning has begun.

Characteristics

  • No knowledge of NIST post-quantum standards or CNSA 2.0
  • No cryptographic inventory or CBOM
  • Classical algorithms (RSA, ECDSA, ECDH) assumed to be sufficient without quantum consideration
  • No regulatory obligation awareness for PQC requirements
  • No budget or resource allocation for PQC activities

Next Step

Leadership briefing on post-quantum risk, HNDL threat, and regulatory obligations. Commission initial scoping assessment.

Declining but still significant portion of organizations globally as of 2026

1

Aware

Post-quantum risk acknowledged; planning not yet initiated

Leadership and security teams are aware of the post-quantum cryptographic threat and NIST's standardization of ML-KEM, ML-DSA, and SLH-DSA. Awareness of CNSA 2.0 and/or OMB M-23-02 obligations exists where applicable. However, no formal program has been initiated, no cryptographic inventory exists, and migration planning has not begun.

Characteristics

  • Leadership briefed on quantum computing risk and NIST PQC standards
  • CNSA 2.0 and/or OMB M-23-02 obligations understood where applicable
  • NIST FIPS 203, 204, 205 documents reviewed
  • No formal cryptographic inventory or CBOM
  • No dedicated PQC program owner or budget allocation
  • May have completed internal scoping or vendor assessments

Next Step

Appoint a PQC program owner. Allocate discovery budget. Initiate cryptographic discovery process.

Largest current segment among organizations that have engaged with the issue

2

Inventorying

Active cryptographic discovery underway; CBOM in progress

The organization has initiated a formal cryptographic discovery program. Network scanning, certificate inventory, and source code analysis are underway. A partial or complete CBOM is being assembled. A PQC program owner has been appointed and resources have been allocated. Risk assessment has not yet been completed.

Characteristics

  • Formal PQC program with designated owner and budget
  • Active network scanning for TLS cipher suites and key exchange algorithms
  • X.509 certificate inventory underway or completed
  • Source code and dependency analysis initiated
  • Partial CBOM assembled, gaps identified
  • Supply chain PQC readiness assessment initiated with key vendors

Next Step

Complete CBOM coverage for all asset categories. Initiate risk scoring on completed entries. Engage PKI team on certificate migration strategy.

Growing segment as regulatory requirements drive urgency

3

Assessed

Complete CBOM with risk scores; migration roadmap drafted

The organization has completed a comprehensive Cryptographic Bill of Materials covering all asset categories. Each CBOM entry has been risk-scored using data sensitivity, confidentiality lifetime, system criticality, and regulatory context dimensions. A prioritized migration roadmap has been drafted with phased timelines, identified owners, and dependency mapping.

Characteristics

  • Complete CBOM covering TLS, certificates, code signing, libraries, firmware, HSMs, APIs
  • Risk scores applied to all CBOM entries using documented methodology
  • Prioritized migration backlog with P1-P4 classification
  • Migration dependency map completed
  • Target algorithms selected (ML-KEM-768, ML-DSA-65, SLH-DSA-SHA2-256s)
  • Migration roadmap with phased timelines and resource requirements
  • Vendor PQC readiness assessment completed for critical supply chain dependencies

Next Step

Begin pilot deployment of hybrid ML-KEM in staging. Engage HSM vendor on FIPS 203/204/205 support. Initiate post-quantum root CA planning.

Smaller but growing segment; advanced organizations with dedicated programs

4

Migrating

Active PQC migration underway in production environments

The organization is actively executing its migration roadmap. Hybrid ML-KEM has been deployed in production TLS for high-priority systems. ML-DSA certificate issuance is underway in the production PKI hierarchy. Code signing infrastructure migration is in progress or completed. Priority-1 CBOM entries are migrated or in-flight.

Characteristics

  • Hybrid ML-KEM + ECDH deployed in production TLS for priority-1 endpoints
  • ML-DSA certificates issued for high-priority certificate consumers
  • Post-quantum root CA established (SLH-DSA or ML-DSA)
  • Code signing infrastructure migrated to ML-DSA
  • HSM key inventory includes ML-KEM and ML-DSA keys
  • CBOM updated with migration status tracking
  • Ongoing migration of P2/P3 CBOM entries

Next Step

Complete Phase B migration (P2/P3 CBOM entries). Establish crypto-agility governance. Remove classical-only fallback configurations as post-quantum adoption reaches thresholds.

Small but growing segment; early-mover enterprises and compliant federal agencies

5

Crypto-Agile

Migration complete; crypto-agile governance sustains long-term readiness

The organization has completed migration of all CBOM entries to NIST-standardized post-quantum algorithms. A crypto-agile architecture is in place: algorithm selection is configuration-driven, cryptographic operations are centralized behind abstract interfaces, and the CBOM is maintained continuously through automated monitoring and change management integration. Ongoing governance ensures the organization can respond to future algorithm updates without program-level re-engineering.

Characteristics

  • All CBOM entries migrated to NIST FIPS 203/204/205 algorithms
  • Crypto-agile architecture: algorithm selection configurable, not hardcoded
  • CBOM maintained continuously through CI/CD and change management integration
  • Automated monitoring for algorithm compliance drift
  • Annual quantum risk assessment refresh process established
  • PQC readiness included in vendor procurement criteria
  • Compliance reporting automated from CBOM data
  • Algorithm update capability tested and validated

Next Step

Maintain. Monitor NIST, NSA, and IETF algorithm updates. Exercise algorithm change capability annually. Assess emerging post-quantum standards as they develop.

Aspirational target for all organizations; very few have reached this level globally as of 2026

Quantumize Research

Risk Scoring Methodology

Quantumize's quantitative framework for scoring cryptographic asset migration priority based on data sensitivity, confidentiality lifetime, system criticality, and regulatory context.

Data Sensitivity Score (DSS)

Rates the sensitivity of the data protected by the cryptographic asset. Higher sensitivity means greater harm from unauthorized disclosure.

ScoreLabelDescription
1PublicPublicly accessible data; disclosure causes no harm (e.g., public website content, open-source code)
2InternalInternal business data without specific regulatory protection (e.g., internal process documentation, non-sensitive operational data)
3RegulatedRegulated personal or financial data with statutory protection requirements (e.g., PII, PHI, payment card data, financial records)
4SensitiveCommercially sensitive or strategically important data (e.g., trade secrets, M&A plans, proprietary R&D, strategic roadmaps)
5CriticalNational security, classified information, safety-critical operational commands, or data whose disclosure could cause severe systemic harm

Confidentiality Lifetime Score (CLS)

Rates how many years the data must remain confidential. This is the most important variable for harvest-now, decrypt-later (HNDL) risk assessment.

ScoreLabelDescription
1Short (<1 year)Session data, ephemeral communications, rapidly obsoleting operational data
2Medium (1-3 years)Standard business records, typical contract retention periods
3Extended (3-7 years)Regulatory retention periods for most financial and business records (e.g., IRS 6-year rule)
4Long (7-15 years)Healthcare records, long-term financial data, IP with extended competitive value
5Permanent (15+ years)Classified communications, genomic data, permanent legal records, long-term government data

System Criticality Score (SCS)

Rates the operational and business impact if the cryptographic asset fails or is compromised. Affects both HNDL risk priority and signature risk priority.

ScoreLabelDescription
1Non-productionDevelopment, test, or sandbox environments with no production data
2Internal operationsInternal tools and systems that support operations but have limited external impact
3Business-criticalSystems whose failure disrupts business operations but does not cause safety hazards or regulatory failures
4Revenue-criticalSystems directly supporting revenue generation, customer-facing services, or regulatory compliance functions
5Safety-criticalSystems whose failure could affect public safety, national security, financial system stability, or critical infrastructure

Regulatory Urgency Score (RUS)

Rates the urgency of regulatory compliance requirements affecting the cryptographic asset. Higher scores indicate binding mandates with specific timelines.

ScoreLabelDescription
1No requirementsNo applicable PQC-specific regulatory requirements
2Voluntary frameworksApplicable to voluntary frameworks (e.g., NIST CSF, ISO 27001) that reference PQC as a best practice
3General complianceSubject to general ICT risk management requirements that encompass cryptographic resilience (e.g., EU DORA for financial entities)
4Specific PQC requirementsSubject to regulations or guidance with specific PQC migration expectations (e.g., OMB M-23-02 for federal agencies)
5Binding mandatesSubject to binding PQC mandates with specific algorithm requirements and deadlines (e.g., NSA CNSA 2.0 for National Security Systems)

Scoring Formulas

HNDL Risk Score = (DSS × CLS × 2) / 5

Range: 0 – 10

Measures exposure to harvest-now, decrypt-later collection. Score above 6 = high HNDL priority. Score above 8 = urgent HNDL priority requiring immediate hybrid key exchange deployment.

Example: Regulated healthcare data (DSS=3) with 10-year retention (CLS=4): (3 × 4 × 2) / 5 = 4.8 (medium-high HNDL priority)

Signature Risk Score = (DSS × SCS) / 2.5

Range: 0 – 10

Measures risk from future signature forgery capability. Score above 6 = high signature risk. Score above 8 = requires priority migration of signing infrastructure.

Example: Code signing key (DSS=4) for safety-critical firmware (SCS=5): (4 × 5) / 2.5 = 8.0 (high signature risk requiring priority ML-DSA/SLH-DSA migration)

Total Priority Score = (HNDL Risk × 0.6) + (Signature Risk × 0.2) + (RUS × 0.4)

Range: 0 – 10

Priority thresholds: P1: Score ≥ 7.0 | P2: Score 5.0–6.9 | P3: Score 3.0–4.9 | P4: Score < 3.0

Combines HNDL exposure (primary driver, 60% weight), signature risk (secondary driver, 20% weight), and regulatory urgency (compliance driver, 40% weight) into a single migration priority score.

Example: A CNSA 2.0-scoped NSS endpoint with critical data and long lifetime will typically score 8.0-10.0 (P1), while a non-production internal API will score 1.0-3.0 (P4).

Worked Examples

Asset DescriptionDSSCLSSCSRUSHNDLTotalPriority
Core banking TLS API financial transaction data, 10-year retention, revenue-critical34434.87.4P1
Healthcare genomic data portal PHI with permanent sensitivity, business-critical system45338.07.8P1
National Security System VPN classified communications, 30-year retention, CNSA 2.0 scope555510.010.0P1 (Urgent)
Internal developer documentation portal public content, no regulatory requirements11110.40.6P4

Citing This Research

Each section carries a stable anchor URL. To cite a specific section, use the format:

Quantumize Research. (2026). [Section title]. Retrieved from https://quantumize.com/research#[section-id]

Example: Quantumize Research. (2026). Post-Quantum Migration Maturity Model. Retrieved from https://quantumize.com/research#migration-maturity-model