Pillar 01 of 03

Quantum Readiness
Advisory

Assess. Prepare. Secure your competitive position before the quantum transition arrives.

Quantum computing will fundamentally reshape cryptography, data security, and competitive dynamics across every industry. Pillar 1 of the Diarka Quantum framework helps mid-market organisations understand where quantum disruption will hit first, what is at risk today, and how to build a pragmatic, phased roadmap toward quantum-safe operations — before competitors and adversaries move first.

Explore Services

Component Services

Seven structured services that take your organisation from zero quantum awareness to a fully documented, board-approved quantum readiness position — with actionable migration plans and policy changes.

Readiness Assessment

Discovery2 – 4 Weeks
Effort

A structured evaluation of your organisation's current exposure to quantum-era threats and opportunities. We assess cryptographic dependencies, data lifecycles, vendor postures, and internal awareness to produce a clear baseline of where you stand — and where the gaps are. The assessment provides a scored maturity profile across five key dimensions with minimal disruption to operations.

Key Deliverables
  • Quantum Readiness Maturity Scorecard
  • Gap analysis report with prioritised risk areas
  • Executive summary for board-level briefing
  • Stakeholder interview findings

Methodology

  1. Kickoff workshop to define scope, key stakeholders, and critical systems.
  2. Structured interviews with IT, security, data, and operations leads.
  3. Automated scan of publicly visible cryptographic configurations (TLS, certificates, key lengths).
  4. Maturity scoring across five dimensions: cryptographic posture, data sensitivity, vendor readiness, regulatory awareness, and organisational capability.
  5. Findings consolidation and executive report drafting.
  6. Presentation of results to leadership with Q&A session.

Example Artifacts

  • Quantum Readiness Maturity Scorecard (five-dimension radar chart with narrative)
  • Stakeholder interview template (standardised question bank)
  • Executive briefing slide deck (10–12 slides, non-technical language)

Recommended Approaches

  • Structured maturity models adapted from industry frameworks
  • Automated certificate and protocol scanning tools
  • Facilitated workshop formats for cross-functional alignment

Risk Analysis

Discovery2 – 4 Weeks
Effort

A threat-driven analysis focused on the "harvest now, decrypt later" paradigm and how quantum-capable adversaries may already be stockpiling your encrypted data for future decryption. We map data flows, classify sensitivity tiers, model threat timelines, and quantify business impact to produce a risk register that your CISO and board can act on immediately. Critical for financial services, healthcare, defence supply chains, and regulated industries.

Key Deliverables
  • Quantum-specific risk register (likelihood × impact matrix)
  • Data sensitivity classification map
  • Threat timeline model (estimated years to cryptographic relevance)
  • Board-ready risk briefing document

Methodology

  1. Data flow mapping: identify where sensitive data is created, transmitted, stored, and archived.
  2. Sensitivity tiering: classify data by regulatory requirement, commercial sensitivity, and shelf-life.
  3. Threat modelling: estimate adversary capability timelines using public research benchmarks and national quantum strategy publications.
  4. Impact quantification: model business, legal, and reputational consequences of key compromise scenarios.
  5. Risk register compilation with prioritised remediation recommendations.

Example Artifacts

  • Risk register template (categorised by threat vector, impact, likelihood, and owner)
  • Data flow sensitivity map (visual diagram with classification overlays)
  • Threat timeline projection chart

Recommended Approaches

  • Standard risk assessment frameworks adapted for quantum-specific threat vectors
  • Publicly available quantum development timeline estimates from national research bodies
  • Data classification taxonomies aligned with regulatory standards

Cryptographic Inventory

Pilot3 – 6 Weeks
Effort

A comprehensive audit of every cryptographic algorithm, protocol, key length, certificate, and library in active use across your technology estate. Most organisations have no centralised record of their cryptographic dependencies — making quantum migration planning impossible. This inventory creates that single source of truth, identifies quantum-vulnerable components, and prioritises them for migration.

Key Deliverables
  • Complete cryptographic asset register
  • Quantum-vulnerability classification (safe / at risk / critical)
  • Dependency map linking cryptographic components to business systems
  • Prioritised remediation schedule

Methodology

  1. Scope definition: identify all systems, applications, and infrastructure (cloud, on-premise, hybrid).
  2. Automated discovery: deploy scanning tools to detect TLS configurations, certificate authorities, key stores, and embedded cryptographic libraries.
  3. Manual review: interview application and infrastructure teams to capture non-discoverable dependencies (hardcoded keys, legacy integrations, firmware-level crypto).
  4. Classification: tag each component as quantum-safe, at-risk, or critically vulnerable based on algorithm type and key length.
  5. Dependency mapping: link each cryptographic component to the business systems and data flows it protects.
  6. Deliver a prioritised register with recommended migration sequencing.

Example Artifacts

  • Cryptographic asset register spreadsheet (algorithm, key length, system, owner, risk classification)
  • Visual dependency map (cryptographic components linked to business applications)
  • Scan configuration template for common infrastructure types

Recommended Approaches

  • Automated certificate and protocol scanning utilities
  • Source code analysis for embedded cryptographic library usage
  • Infrastructure configuration review checklists

Migration Planning

Pilot1 – 3 Months
Effort

Once risks and cryptographic dependencies are mapped, this service builds a phased, actionable roadmap for transitioning to quantum-safe cryptography. The plan accounts for technical complexity, business continuity constraints, vendor timelines, and regulatory requirements. It sequences migrations to protect the highest-risk assets first while maintaining operational stability.

Key Deliverables
  • Phased migration roadmap (12–36 month horizon)
  • System-by-system migration playbooks
  • Vendor engagement and procurement guidance
  • Budget estimation and resource planning model
  • Rollback and contingency procedures

Pilot Projects

Pilot1 – 3 Months
Effort

Controlled, low-risk implementations of post-quantum cryptographic algorithms within a defined segment of your environment. Pilots validate migration assumptions, surface integration challenges, measure performance impacts, and build internal confidence before broader rollout. Each pilot includes success criteria, monitoring, and a documented lessons-learned process.

Key Deliverables
  • Pilot scope and success criteria document
  • Implementation journal with technical findings
  • Performance benchmarking report (latency, throughput, compatibility)
  • Lessons-learned summary and rollout readiness assessment

Policy Recommendations

Production2 – 4 Weeks
Effort

Actionable policy guidance that embeds quantum readiness into your organisation's governance, procurement, and security frameworks. This service delivers specific, implementable policy language — procurement requirements for quantum-safe standards, data retention policy updates, incident response addenda, and vendor assessment criteria that can be adopted immediately.

Key Deliverables
  • Quantum-aware security policy addenda
  • Procurement language for quantum-safe vendor requirements
  • Data retention and archival policy updates
  • Regulatory alignment checklist

Stakeholder Engagement

ProductionOngoing
Effort

Quantum readiness is not a purely technical initiative — it requires buy-in across leadership, procurement, legal, compliance, and operations. This service provides tailored briefings, workshops, and communication materials designed for different internal audiences, translating complex quantum threats into clear, relevant business language that drives informed decision-making and budget allocation.

Key Deliverables
  • Board-level briefing deck (non-technical, outcome-focused)
  • Technical deep-dive for security and engineering teams
  • Internal awareness campaign materials
  • Quarterly progress reporting template

Ready to understand your organisation's quantum exposure? Begin with a no-obligation readiness conversation.

Sample Templates & Resources

Synthetic templates to help you self-audit or prepare before engaging advisory support. All files are generated client-side — no data is transmitted.

Assessment Checklist

A structured checklist covering the key areas evaluated during a Quantum Readiness Assessment. Use it to self-audit before engaging advisory support.

Risk Register Template

A blank risk register template formatted for quantum-specific threat vectors, with columns for likelihood, impact, data sensitivity, and remediation owner.

Migration Roadmap Sample

A sample phased migration roadmap showing how a typical mid-market organisation might sequence its transition to quantum-safe cryptography over 24 months.

From Readiness to Integration

A phased checklist showing the recommended path from Pillar 1 outcomes into Pillar 2 (AI & Quantum Integration) work.

Phase 1 — Complete Readiness Assessment
Establish your quantum maturity baseline, identify critical gaps, and secure executive buy-in for the transition programme.
Phase 2 — Execute Cryptographic Inventory & Risk Register
Build the detailed technical foundation: know exactly what algorithms you depend on, where your data is most exposed, and what the business impact looks like.
Phase 3 — Run Pilot Migration
Select a bounded, low-risk system and implement post-quantum cryptographic standards. Measure performance, document integration findings, and validate your migration playbook.
Phase 4 — Embed Policy & Governance
Update procurement, data retention, and security policies with quantum-safe requirements. Establish ongoing monitoring and reporting rhythms.
Phase 5 — Transition to Pillar 2 (AI & Quantum Integration)
With quantum-safe foundations in place, explore how quantum computing capabilities — combined with AI — can drive competitive advantage in optimisation, modelling, and machine learning within your domain.