Security leaders from Gigamon and Thales are raising alarms over the accelerating risks posed by quantum computing, warning that cyber attackers are already exploiting future decryption capabilities through a strategy known as “harvest now, decrypt later.” According to Gigamon’s upcoming 2026 Hybrid Cloud Security Survey, which gathered insights from 1,000 security professionals, 35% of organizations now consider encrypted traffic their biggest breach risk. At the same time, 87% of respondents expressed concern about attackers collecting encrypted data today with the intention of decrypting it once quantum computing becomes powerful enough.
Chaim Mazal, Chief AI and Security Officer at Gigamon, described the situation as a turning point for cybersecurity. He noted that while organizations are already dealing with AI-driven threats, quantum computing is introducing a new layer of risk that is no longer theoretical. Attackers, he said, are actively harvesting sensitive encrypted data in anticipation of future breakthroughs that could render current encryption obsolete.
Mazal also highlighted a critical gap in preparedness. Despite growing awareness, 76% of organizations still assume their encrypted data is inherently secure. He warned that this false sense of security could leave enterprises exposed unless they begin treating post-quantum readiness as an immediate priority. Recommended steps include conducting asset inventories, modernizing security architectures, and adopting zero-trust approaches to improve visibility and control.
Echoing these concerns, Thales shared its own findings indicating that 61% of organizations now view “harvest now, decrypt later” as their top quantum-related risk. Chris Harris, EMEA Technical Director for Data and Application Security at Thales, stressed that the impact of quantum computing on cryptography should be treated as a present-day threat rather than a distant possibility.
Harris explained that while quantum technology promises innovation, it also has the potential to undermine the cryptographic systems that secure the global digital economy. He pointed out that sensitive data stolen today could remain at risk for years, creating long-term exposure for industries such as finance, healthcare, and government.
A major challenge, according to Thales, is the lack of visibility into data environments. Only 34% of organizations have full awareness of where their data resides, and less than half of sensitive cloud data is encrypted. This visibility gap, combined with complex hybrid and multi-cloud environments, makes it difficult for organizations to effectively protect critical assets.
Although progress is being made nearly 60% of organizations are experimenting with post-quantum cryptography experts caution that experimentation alone is insufficient. The transition to quantum-safe security requires a broader transformation, including crypto-agility, modernized key management, and comprehensive mapping of cryptographic dependencies.
The warnings from Gigamon and Thales highlight a widening gap between awareness and action. As quantum computing continues to evolve, attackers are already adapting their strategies, creating a multi-year risk window for high-value data with long confidentiality requirements. As the industry marks World Quantum Day, security experts emphasize that organizations must act now. Early investment in data discovery, encryption modernization, and quantum-safe architectures will be critical to maintaining trust and resilience in the coming quantum era.
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