Quantum computing is moving steadily from theory into practice. While the technology is still emerging, its security implications are already keeping governments, technology companies and network operators awake at night. At the RCR Wireless' 6G Forum 2025, Owen O’Donnell from VIAVI Solutions discussed the growing urgency around post quantum cryptography and the role it will play in future networks, especially as we move towards 6G.
Current communications rely on encryption that protects everything from online banking and VPN access to digital signatures and medical data. These systems use mathematical problems that are extremely difficult for classical computers to solve. However, advances in quantum computing create the possibility that this protection could be broken in the future. According to research referenced in the talk, nearly two thirds of organisations globally are already concerned and are preparing for a migration towards quantum safe security.
This concern is not only about future attacks. O’Donnell highlighted the rise of Harvest / Store Now Decrypt Later (HNDL/SNDL) strategies, where data is intercepted today and stored until quantum computers become powerful enough to decrypt it. This represents a significant risk to sensitive communications, particularly in government, defence, financial services and healthcare sectors.
To counter this threat, post quantum cryptography has emerged. These are new algorithms designed to withstand the power of quantum machines. They will replace or operate alongside current approaches such as RSA and ECC. International bodies including NIST have been standardising these techniques, with the first three PQC standards published in 2024 under FIPS 203, 204 and 205.
Migrating to PQC will be a long and complex journey. Not every algorithm will suit every use case, and compatibility issues will surface across devices, software and cloud environments. Many legacy and IoT devices may not be upgradeable. Organisations are expected to run hybrid systems during the transition, combining classical and quantum safe techniques. This shift will also bring performance considerations, because PQC algorithms typically require more computation and larger key sizes, which means higher CPU and memory usage and a potential impact on latency and throughput.
Telecom networks face an especially difficult task. 3GPP has already initiated a study item in Release 20 focused on transitioning to post quantum cryptography. This work seeks to understand which interfaces and protocols will require PQC, the overhead associated with larger key and signature sizes, and the suitability of hybrid versus pure PQC approaches. Industry groups such as the GSMA are also issuing guidance to help operators prepare and are emphasising the need for performance testing to minimise service impact during tunnel setup and other security procedures.
As 6G evolves, the pressure to adopt quantum resistant security grows. 6G will support extreme performance, from very low latency to massive connectivity and highly sensitive data flows across defence, healthcare, finance and autonomous systems. Any future compromise in cryptographic security would have serious implications. Regulators are expected to push for readiness within the 2030 to 2035 timeframe.
Security standards are defining the post-quantum era, from NIST’s PQC algorithm rollouts to ETSI’s QKD frameworks. Yet challenges remain: limited interoperability, high costs & uneven global progress. Partner with VIAVI to navigate the quantum-safe future: https://t.co/eNNO2cpPSv pic.twitter.com/dt4XjVjn1r
— VIAVI Solutions (@ViaviSolutions) October 22, 2025
The talk also highlighted practical testing results. VIAVI used its TeraVM platform to measure the impact of hybrid and pure PQC algorithms on TLS session setup. The baseline with traditional cryptography handled about 65,000 connections per second. Hybrid PQC dropped this to around 35,000, and a pure PQC approach reached about 46,000. These figures represent meaningful reductions in performance and demonstrate why full scale testing is essential before deployment in live networks.
Quantum computing offers tremendous promise, but it also demands a proactive response. PQC migration will impact every part of the digital ecosystem, and telecom networks sit at the heart of that transition. From infrastructure upgrades and software changes to performance benchmarking and hybrid security strategies, preparation must begin well ahead of commercial quantum computers arriving.
Below is the talk from Owen O’Donnell at the RCR Wireless 6G Forum 2025 if you would like to explore this topic further.
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