Preparing for the Quantum Leap: How Enterprises Can Build Readiness Now
Quantum computing is shifting rapidly from theoretical concept to enterprise imperative. From Google’s Willow chip achieving quantum supremacy to IBM and Moderna’s 2025 collaboration using quantum algorithms for mRNA research, momentum is accelerating. Yet a readiness gap remains: while 69% of organizations acknowledge the risk, only 5% have adopted quantum-safe encryption. The quantum era is approaching and those who prepare now will be the ones that lead.
Quantum 101: What Every Enterprise Should Know
Quantum computing operates on qubits—units that can exist in multiple states simultaneously through superposition. Unlike classical bits, which are either 0 or 1, qubits enable vast parallel processing, unlocking a new scale of computational power.
We’re currently in the Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum (NISQ) era, characterized by unstable, non-error-corrected systems with fewer than 1,000 qubits. While these machines are not yet universally fault-tolerant, they’re already solving problems beyond the reach of classical supercomputers.
Recent milestones underscore the pace of change:
Google’s Willow processor completed a quantum task in 5 minutes that would take classical systems 47 years, demonstrating meaningful supremacy.
IBM’s Heron r2 (156 qubits), deployed via the cloud in Q2 2025, improved quantum error mitigation, marking a step toward enterprise-grade use cases.
Enterprise Readiness: The Data-Backed Urgency
While technical capabilities are rising, enterprise preparedness is lagging:
69% of organizations believe quantum will break their current encryption within 5 years.
Yet only 5% have begun deploying quantum-safe algorithms.
A Capgemini Research Institute survey reports 70% of firms are exploring or piloting quantum-safe solutions, but most lack a formal transition roadmap.
This disconnect poses a serious threat. “Harvest now, decrypt later” attacks—where encrypted data is stolen today and decrypted by quantum machines in the future—are already a concern for financial services, defense contractors, and healthcare systems.
Quantum Pilot Roadmap: From Research to ROI
Enterprises should adopt a phased, ROI-driven roadmap to quantum readiness:
Step 1: Audit Cryptographic Infrastructure
Identify legacy encryption protocols (RSA, ECC) and assess data risk based on lifespan and sensitivity.
Step 2: Engage Quantum-as-a-Service (QaaS)
Use platforms like IBM Quantum, Azure Quantum, and Google Quantum AI to experiment without hardware investment. For example, Microsoft Azure Quantum is already powering pharmaceutical simulations and portfolio optimization.
Step 3: Pilot Business Use Cases
Focus on domains where quantum provides near-term value:
Supply chain and logistics optimization
Risk modeling for finance and insurance
Molecular simulation in life sciences
Step 4: Adopt Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC)
Integrate PQC algorithms aligned with NIST’s standardization efforts to future-proof infrastructure against quantum decryption.
Step 5: Build Governance Infrastructure
Form a Quantum Steering Committee to guide R&D investment, vendor engagement, and regulatory compliance—ideally led by the CISO or CTO.
Strategic Lessons from the AI revolution
Quantum computing follows the same adoption curve as early AI:
Start with sandbox experiments
Build internal fluency through skilling and upskilling
Invest in data and model governance early
Microsoft’s hybrid Azure Quantum service is a proof point: it allows classical workloads to integrate with quantum modules—driving experimentation without infrastructure overhaul. This approach mitigates risk while maintaining technical agility.
Final Call to Action
Enterprises that take proactive steps toward quantum readiness will not only secure their digital assets but also gain early-mover advantage in optimization, materials science, and machine learning acceleration. Quantum isn't a decade away—it's already reshaping strategic roadmaps.
PI-Tech partners with forward-leaning organizations to navigate the quantum curve—offering governance-first consulting, cloud-based pilots, and crypto-resilient architecture planning.
Sources & Further Reading
DigiCert (2025). Quantum Readiness Gap: A Global Study on Post-Quantum Cryptography.
https://www.digicert.com/news/quantum-readiness-gap-a-digicert-study-on-quantum-safe-encryptionTechRadar Pro (2024). The Next Leap for the Technology Sector: Quantum Computing.
https://www.techradar.com/pro/the-next-leap-for-the-technology-sector-quantum-computingCapgemini Research Institute (2024). Quantum Technologies: How to Prepare for the Quantum Advantage.
https://www.capgemini.com/research/quantum-technologiesIBM Research (2025). Introducing Heron: The First IBM Quantum System Two Processor.
https://research.ibm.com/blog/ibm-quantum-heronMicrosoft Azure Quantum (2025). Quantum Solutions in Chemistry, Optimization, and Machine Learning.
https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/products/quantum/
