In part 1 of this series, we explored the rising threat of quantum computing—the not-so-distant future where today’s encryption could be broken in seconds. The implications are serious: sensitive data could be exposed, customer trust could erode, and compliance risks could grow exponentially.
But this isn’t just a story of disruption. It’s also a moment of opportunity.
Forward-thinking companies aren’t waiting for quantum to break their systems. They’re building resilience today, with cloud-native platforms like Snowflake and a strategy centered on Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC).
What Is Post-Quantum Cryptography?
Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) refers to cryptographic algorithms that are resistant to attacks by quantum computers. These algorithms are designed to replace today’s widely used encryption standards like RSA and ECC, which rely on mathematical problems that quantum machines are expected to solve easily.
The U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is currently finalizing new PQC standards, with several finalists already announced. These standards will guide how data is encrypted and protected in the quantum era—and every business should be preparing for the transition.
Why it matters:
- Data stolen today can be decrypted tomorrow by quantum-capable adversaries.
- Regulatory bodies will increasingly expect quantum-safe encryption.
- Migrating to PQC will take time—and modernizing legacy systems/processes could be costly.
Building a Quantum Security Strategy
Quantum threats aren’t just a problem for your security team—they’re a strategic challenge that cuts across compliance, data governance, infrastructure, and customer experience. A smart strategy should focus on three key pillars:
1. Risk Assessment and Data Mapping
Start by identifying the types of data you store that require long-term confidentiality—health records, PII, financial histories, legal agreements, IP, etc.
Questions to ask:
- Where is that data stored (Snowflake, AWS, on-prem, hybrid)?
- How long must it remain secure?
- Who has access to it today?
2. Crypto-Agility and Upgrade Readiness
Even if PQC isn’t implemented yet, the ability to adapt quickly when standards evolve will separate resilient organizations from reactive ones.
Key moves:
- Decouple encryption logic from application logic.
- Ensure encryption methods are configurable, not hard-coded.
- Choose vendors and architectures that support algorithm upgrades.
3. Cross-Functional Readiness
Quantum security isn’t just a CIO initiative. CFOs, CMOs, legal teams, and boards all have a stake in protecting trust and managing future liability.
Next steps:
- Form a quantum readiness task force with representation across business units.
- Monitor regulatory developments and vendor PQC roadmaps.
- Communicate your strategy to internal and external stakeholders proactively.
Turning Strategy into Action with Snowflake
If your data lives in the cloud—especially in Snowflake—you’re already in a strong position to implement a quantum security strategy.
Here’s how Snowflake supports quantum readiness:
Separation of Compute and Storage
Snowflake’s architecture makes it easier to apply encryption and access controls at different layers, supporting crypto-agile designs.
Centralized Governance with Snowflake Horizon
Snowflake’s governance framework lets organizations classify data, apply policies, and manage access across multi-cloud environments. This is critical when planning for selective PQC upgrades and sensitive data tracking.
Cloud-Native Flexibility
Because Snowflake is decoupled from on-premises infrastructure, updates to encryption mechanisms or integrations with post-quantum services can be implemented faster—with fewer downstream dependencies.
Partnership with Major Cloud Providers
Snowflake runs on AWS, Azure, and GCP—all of which are working toward post-quantum readiness in collaboration with NIST and industry leaders. This layered ecosystem strengthens your overall security posture.
The Quantum Era Is Coming—Lead with Confidence
It’s no longer a question of if quantum computing will change your security model—it’s when. And companies that prepare early will be the ones who not only stay secure, but build trust, avoid disruption, and lead in the cloud-first future.
At Hakkoda, we help organizations build actionable quantum resilience strategies by combining:
- Deep Snowflake and cloud platform expertise
- Security and governance best practices
- Expertise in combining business and IT teams
Let’s talk today about how your business can start preparing today—while your data is still secure.
