The Quantum Security Threat: Get Ready Today for Tomorrow's Tech
Thu Feb 05 2026
The encryption protecting your most sensitive data has as an expiration date. Nation-states are harvesting encrypted traffic right now, stockpiling it until quantum computers become powerful enough to crack it in seconds.
In this episode, Ed McNamara sits down with Brad Bowers, SHI's Lead Field Chief Information Security Officer, who breaks down the quantum cryptography threat in terms IT leaders can actually act on. Brad brings over 20 years of security leadership experience from the Federal Reserve, FBI, AT&T, and Verizon to explain what's really happening—and what you need to do about it.
Key takeaways:
Why the "harvest now, decrypt later" threat is already happening at network choke points
Federal mandates starting December 1, 2025 and the aggressive 2030 deadline for crypto agility
Who needs to act now (critical infrastructure, defense contractors) vs. who has a 5-year runway
What "post-quantum cryptography" and "crypto agility" actually mean in operational terms
First steps for discovery and planning—minus the fear-mongering
Whether you're defending critical infrastructure or planning ahead for retail operations, this is the quantum readiness roadmap you need. The threat isn't coming—it's already here.
Listen now to understand why waiting until 2029 means you're already too late.
#PostQuantumCryptography #Cybersecurity #QuantumComputing #CryptoAgility #InformationSecurity #ITLeadership #DigitalTransformation #SHI #InnovationHeroes
About the Guest:
Brad Bowers is Lead Field Chief Information Security Officer – Global at SHI International, with over 20 years of security leadership experience including work with the Federal Reserve, FBI, AT&T, and Verizon. Certifications: CISSP, GCIA, GCIH, GCFA, OSCP.
Connect with SHI:
Explore SHI's cybersecurity services: https://www.shi.com/solutions/cybersecurity
Contact your SHI team for quantum readiness assessment
More
The encryption protecting your most sensitive data has as an expiration date. Nation-states are harvesting encrypted traffic right now, stockpiling it until quantum computers become powerful enough to crack it in seconds. In this episode, Ed McNamara sits down with Brad Bowers, SHI's Lead Field Chief Information Security Officer, who breaks down the quantum cryptography threat in terms IT leaders can actually act on. Brad brings over 20 years of security leadership experience from the Federal Reserve, FBI, AT&T, and Verizon to explain what's really happening—and what you need to do about it. Key takeaways: Why the "harvest now, decrypt later" threat is already happening at network choke points Federal mandates starting December 1, 2025 and the aggressive 2030 deadline for crypto agility Who needs to act now (critical infrastructure, defense contractors) vs. who has a 5-year runway What "post-quantum cryptography" and "crypto agility" actually mean in operational terms First steps for discovery and planning—minus the fear-mongering Whether you're defending critical infrastructure or planning ahead for retail operations, this is the quantum readiness roadmap you need. The threat isn't coming—it's already here. Listen now to understand why waiting until 2029 means you're already too late. #PostQuantumCryptography #Cybersecurity #QuantumComputing #CryptoAgility #InformationSecurity #ITLeadership #DigitalTransformation #SHI #InnovationHeroes About the Guest: Brad Bowers is Lead Field Chief Information Security Officer – Global at SHI International, with over 20 years of security leadership experience including work with the Federal Reserve, FBI, AT&T, and Verizon. Certifications: CISSP, GCIA, GCIH, GCFA, OSCP. Connect with SHI: Explore SHI's cybersecurity services: https://www.shi.com/solutions/cybersecurity Contact your SHI team for quantum readiness assessment