Cybersecurity
100a: The Quantum Security Imperative
This complimentary introductory course provides executives and decision-makers with essential insights into the emerging quantum threat landscape and the strategic framework for organizational protection. Participants will discover the Quantum Secure Bastions (QSB) architecture and the Three Pillars approach that creates comprehensive, resilient enterprise defense against both current and future quantum threats. Section 100a of the Post-Quantum Cybersecurity Training Program is intended for non-technical executives, focusing on strategic implications and risk management.
This program is offered in partnership with Cyber Reliant.
Audience
Executives, decision-makers, and security professionals seeking to understand the quantum threat landscape
Prerequisites
None. Designed for non-technical executives.
- Strategic Awareness: Gain executive-level understanding of quantum threats without technical complexity
- Competitive Intelligence: Learn how early adoption creates market advantages
- Risk Mitigation: Understand timeline for quantum threat emergence and preparation requirements
- Foundation Building: Prepare for comprehensive strategic planning in Course 100b
- Complimentary Access: No cost introduction to critical emerging security domain
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this executive briefing, participants will be able to:
- Assess Quantum Threat Timeline: Understand when quantum computers will break current encryption and the “harvest now, decrypt later” attack implications for their organization
- Recognize Benefits: Identify how post-quantum approaches strengthen current defenses against AI-enhanced cyber attacks
- Understand Critical Impact Areas: Identify the key enterprise security domains requiring quantum-resistant enhancement and how they create layered organizational protection
- Evaluate Impact: Understand the business case for early post-quantum adoption including competitive differentiation and regulatory compliance advantages
- Plan Next Steps: Develop framework for comprehensive post-quantum strategy development and implementation planning
Session 1: The New Threat Reality & Enterprise Architecture Response (60 minutes)
The Convergence Crisis: AI + Quantum = Security Revolution
- Current AI-enhanced cyber attacks and their exponential growth
- How quantum computing will weaponize these threats
- The “harvest now, decrypt later” attack timeline – why waiting is dangerous
- Real-world examples of organizations already targeted
Why Traditional Security Architectures are Failing
- The mathematical foundations of current encryption are breaking down
- Architectural vulnerabilities: tightly coupled systems create cascade failures
- Case studies: Recent breaches that quantum computers could have executed instantly
- The single-point-of-failure problem in traditional security models
Introduction to Quantum Secure Bastions (QSB) Architecture
- Highly cohesive, loosely coupled defense strategy explained
- How QSB creates resilient, layered protection across the enterprise
- While implementation differs from traditional security models, this framework operates within established enterprise architecture patterns and methodologies
- Organizations can leverage existing EA investments and expertise while enhancing protection against quantum threats
- The 10 QSB defensive components working independently yet coherently
- Immediate benefits: strengthening current defenses while preparing for quantum threats
Session 2: The QSB Framework & Three Pillars Strategy (60 minutes)
The 10 Quantum Secure Bastions: Enterprise Defense Components
- Quantum-Resistant Network Perimeter – Advanced firewall and gateway protection
- Post-Quantum Secure Communications – VPN and encrypted channels
- Quantum-Safe Identity & Access – Authentication and authorization systems
- Quantum-Resistant Threat Detection – AI-powered monitoring and analysis
- Post-Quantum Data Protection – Information security and loss prevention
- Quantum-Safe Network Access Control – Zero-trust access management
- Quantum-Resistant Security Intelligence – Event correlation and response
- Post-Quantum Endpoint Security – Device protection and monitoring
- Quantum-Safe Application Protection – Web application and API security
- Quantum-Resistant Security Orchestration – Automated response and coordination
The Three Pillars: Comprehensive Enterprise Continuity
- Technical Pillar: Technology implementation, integration, and optimization
- Operational Pillar: Business processes, procedures, and daily operations
- Policy Pillar: Governance frameworks, compliance, and strategic direction
How the Pillars Work in Tandem:
- Technical capabilities enable operational effectiveness
- Operational practices inform policy development
- Policy frameworks guide technical implementation
- Continuous feedback loops between all three pillars ensure adaptive resilience
QSB + Three Pillars = Robust Enterprise Protection
- Highly cohesive internal coordination within each bastion and pillar
- Loosely coupled external interfaces prevent cascade failures
- Layered defense creates multiple protection zones
- Resilient architecture adapts to evolving threats
Your Strategic Path Forward
- Initial assessment methodology introduction
- Implementation timeline considerations and priority setting
- Course 100b preview: Deep dive into strategic planning and execution
- Resource allocation and organizational readiness evaluation