Microsoft Targets 2029 for Quantum-Resistant Encryption

Microsoft is accelerating its transition to post-quantum cryptography, announcing a new goal to protect its critical products and services with quantum-resistant encryption by 2029. The company cited advances in quantum computing research that have shifted the perceived risk horizon, warning that cryptographically relevant quantum machines could arrive sooner than previously expected.

In a blog post on June 30, Microsoft Chief Technology Officer Mark Russinovich explained the decision is a response to a changing technological landscape and recent government guidance. He stated that transitioning to quantum-safe cryptography is a multi-year engineering effort that benefits from early action, and delaying increases both cost and risk. The company is incorporating post-quantum requirements into its broader Secure Future Initiative to help customers transition sooner.

The core threat driving this urgency is the "harvest now, decrypt later" attack, where adversaries steal and store encrypted data today with the expectation that future quantum computers will be powerful enough to crack it. This makes sensitive information with long-term confidentiality needs-such as intellectual...