G7 Calls for Urgent Action on Quantum-Safe Encryption

France's ANSSI, chairing the G7 Cybersecurity Working Group as part of the country's 2026 G7 Presidency, has published a call to action urging governments and businesses to treat the quantum computing threat as near-term rather than a distant concern. The document, released September 3, warns that advances in quantum computing could eventually break the public-key cryptography that underpins much of today's digital security, threatening organisations of all sizes, not just critical infrastructure.

The G7 agencies recommend that organisations start by identifying which systems hold their most critical data, then prioritise those for transition to post-quantum cryptography (PQC). They advise a phased, risk-based approach: build an inventory of cryptographic assets, map how systems depend on them, and create a transition plan. To manage costs, organisations are encouraged to buy products that already support PQC and replace ageing systems with quantum-safe versions during normal renewal cycles rather than rushing separate upgrades.

The call to action, signed by cybersecurity agencies from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the US, and backed by the EU Commission and ENISA, stresses that starting early reduces long-term migration costs. The document also outlines five priorities for governments and industry to address, though full details were not included in this excerpt.