The quantum-safe timeline has changed For years, planning for post-quantum cryptography (PQC) was framed as a future problem: important, inevitable, but distant. That perspective is evolving as technology advances and organizations prepare for the scale and complexity of the transition ahead. At Microsoft, we are acting on this shift by bringing our quantum-safe timeline forward so organizations can begin the transition earlier and with greater confidence. Advances in quantum research and development have shifted the risk horizon. We believe cryptographically relevant quantum computers could arrive sooner than previously expected—and the work required to prepare is significant so organizations need to start now. Recent government actions, including United States1 and French2 guidance to adopt quantum-safe cryptography as early as 2030 in certain high-risk systems, reflect the same conclusion: preparing for this transition is already underway. This is a recognition that the transition to quantum-safe cryptography is a multi-year engineering effort that benefits from early planning and action, and delaying that work increases both cost and risk. This reinforces our decision to bring the work forward. The quantum capabilities are accelerating. The time to respond is now. Accelerating our timeline In response to these shifts, we are accelerating the Microsoft Quantum Safe Program (QSP) timeline with the goal of transitioning critical products and services to PQC by 2029. We are also incorporating PQC requirements into our Secure Future Initiative (SFI). This brings quantum-safe readiness into the same disciplined engineering framework we use for other critical security outcomes: clear ownership, measurable milestones, and transparent progress. Embedding these capabilities into our platforms empowers customers to move sooner and more confidently. What “accelerating” means in practice Accelerating our timeline means pulling forward key engineering work so new standards can be adopted earlier and modernization can begin well ahead of broad quantum impact. Our priorities fall