The advent of quantum computing is drawing ever closer. And with it, a real threat to the encryption systems that today protect data around the world. From banking transactions to access keys to digital services, everything could be exposed in a matter of seconds when quantum capabilities reach maturity. 

For now, quantum computers are not yet powerful enough to break current encryption. But the mere fact that it is a possibility on the horizon has set off alarm bells. Governments, major corporations and research centers are already racing against time to develop new methods of protection: post-quantum cryptography. 

The problem is that change will not be easy. For decades, the current systems have worked well, and replacing them is not just a matter of upgrading software. It is a long, costly process that requires adapting entire infrastructures. The good news is that concrete progress is already being made. In 2024, after years of evaluation, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) selected new encryption algorithms designed to withstand quantum attacks. Companies in critical industries, such as banking and telecommunications, have begun to incorporate them into their systems, although many challenges remain. 

One of the biggest risks is what is known as "harvest now, decrypt later". That is, cybercriminals are already collecting encrypted data with the idea of decrypting it in the future, when technology allows. This means that information that is considered secure today could be exposed in a few years' time. 

The big question is: are we reacting in time? Some companies have started to move, but many others are still waiting for the threat to become more tangible. The problem with security is that when the urgency arrives, it is often too late. 

The leap to post-quantum cryptography is not an option, it is a necessity. And the sooner the transition begins, the better prepared we will be when quantum computers cease to be a laboratory experiment and become an everyday reality.