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Case Study: Quantum Threat to Long-Term Sensitive Data

A government agency stores sensitive records with confidentiality requirements exceeding 20 years and relies on public-key cryptography for data-at-rest and communications security.

Tier 3 (systemic harm potential).

  • Cryptographic risk: 03_quantum_standards/cryptographic_and_security_risk.md
  • Research limits (if conducting internal QC work): 03_quantum_standards/research_and_disclosure.md
  • Audit/certification: 05_audit_and_assurance/*
  • harvest-now, decrypt-later exposure
  • incomplete crypto inventory and hidden dependencies
  • migration failures without cryptographic agility
  • complete crypto inventory and dependency map
  • post-quantum transition plan with milestones and tests
  • disclosure policy for “quantum-safe” claims and threat model statements