Unlock Your Quantum Defense – Introducing the Quantum Readiness View on SCM Pro

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5 min read

The digital world is on the cusp of a new era – the quantum age. While this leap forward promises unprecedented advancements, it also presents a formidable threat to our current cybersecurity infrastructure. The cryptographic standards that protect our sensitive data today will be rendered obsolete by the power of quantum computers. In response, governments and industries are mandating a shift to quantum-safe cryptography. But how can you navigate this complex transition without clear visibility into your network's cryptographic health?

Many organizations are flying blind, unsure of where to even begin. The US Government, for instance, has mandated that federal agencies begin creating an inventory of their cryptographic assets, a requirement that is quickly rippling across all sectors. Without a unified view, the path to a secure future is fraught with potential blind spots, compliance risks, and the looming threat of network outages.

To address this critical challenge, Palo Alto Networks is proud to introduce the Quantum Readiness View in Strata Cloud Manager (SCM). This new feature, integrated into the Command Center, provides a comprehensive and actionable snapshot of your organization's cryptographic posture, enabling you to confidently embark on your journey toward a quantum-secure future.

The urgency to address this problem is coming from the highest levels. The US Government has passed the "Quantum Computing Cybersecurity Preparedness Act," which, along with directives like NSM-10 , M-23-02 and the newer EO 14144, mandates that federal agencies create a comprehensive inventory of their cryptographic systems and report annually on their progress toward adopting Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC). This isn't just a government issue. The mandate to assess vendor cryptography means that this requirement is rippling out to every industry that works with the public sector. Major enterprise customers have been clear: they need a solution that can provide this cryptographic inventory and guide their migration.

The timeline is no longer a distant theoretical concern. In August 2024, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) released the first three finalized PQC standar..., officially starting the clock on the largest crypto migration in history. With the threat of "Harvest Now, Decrypt Later" attacks already in motion, the time to "wait and see" is over. The data being stolen today is what will be decrypted tomorrow.

The technology sector's vanguard is already transitioning to a quantum-safe future by integrating Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) into widely used applications. For instance, services like Apple's iMessage, Signal, Google Chrome, and Zoom are actively deploying PQC to protect user data from the "harvest now, decrypt later" threat. This proactive migration signals that the transition is happening now, leaving organizations that delay at risk of being protected by obsolete and vulnerable cryptography.

How Palo Alto Networks is Uniquely Positioned to Solve Your Quantum Readiness Problem

The journey to quantum readiness begins with answering a fundamental question: "Where are cryptographic ciphers being used in my network?"

Palo Alto Networks is uniquely positioned to answer this question. Our Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFWs) and Prisma Access already sit at critical inspection points across your network, giving us unparalleled visibility into all SSL/TLS sessions. We've leveraged this unique position to create the Quantum Readiness View, a new feature in Strata Cloud Manager designed to be your essential first step.

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Here’s how we solve your quantum readiness problem:

Eliminate the Inventory Blind Spot: The Quantum Readiness View automatically discovers and inventories the cryptography in use across your entire enterprise. By inspecting session metadata (without decryption), our platform provides the comprehensive inventory that government mandates require and that sound security posture demands.
Provide a Single Pane of Glass: Instead of relying on multiple tools with inconsistent recommendations, the Quantum Readiness View offers a centralized dashboard within the Command Center. It gives you a clear, actionable snapshot of your cryptographic posture across three key areas:

Users: See which user devices and browsers support PQC.
Applications: Understand the cryptographic health of your internet, SaaS, and private apps.
Firewalls: Get a clear status on your NGFW fleet's hardware and software readiness for PQC.

Deliver Actionable Remediation Steps: This isn't just a report; it's a roadmap. The view provides specific recommendations to address vulnerabilities. It will tell you if a firewall needs a hardware refresh to support PQC libraries or a simple PAN-OS software upgrade to enable quantum-ready VPNs and SSL decryption. We categorize your cryptographic posture into Secure (using PQC), Weak (at risk from quantum), and Vulnerable (using deprecated ciphers) so you can prioritize your actions effectively.
Track Your Migration Progress: As you begin your migration, the Quantum Readiness View allows you to monitor the adoption of secure ciphers over time, providing the data needed for your annual reports and for demonstrating progress to leadership.

In short, while the industry faces a daunting crypto migration, Palo Alto Networks provides the clarity and control you need to begin. We turn the daunting "inventory problem" into an actionable, visual, and continuous process. The future is quantum, but your preparation starts today with the visibility only we can provide.

The Future is Quantum. Are You Prepared?

The transition to a quantum-resistant cryptographic standard is not a matter of "if," but "when." The threats are real, and the time to prepare is now. With the Quantum Readiness View from Palo Alto Networks, you no longer have to navigate this complex landscape in the dark. You now have a powerful tool to illuminate your cryptographic posture, identify vulnerabilities, and take decisive action to secure your organization for the quantum age and beyond.

Take the first step towards a quantum-secure future. Explore the Quantum Readiness View in your Command Center today and begin your journey with confidence.