Commvault Ramps Up Quantum-Resistant Defense as ‘Harvest Now, Decrypt Later’ Threat Looms

As quantum computing inches closer to practical implementation, security leaders are grappling with a pressing new mandate: defend today’s encrypted data from tomorrow’s quantum-enabled intrusions. Commvault, a key player in cyber resilience for hybrid cloud environments, has doubled down on this challenge with the latest upgrade to its post-quantum cryptography (PQC) strategy—integrating support for the Hamming Quasi-Cyclic (HQC) algorithm and expanding its crypto-agility framework.

This move positions Commvault among the first cyber defense vendors actively preparing customers for what many see as an inevitability: a future in which quantum computers can unravel the encryption algorithms that underpin current data protection.

A Countdown to Quantum Decryption

Quantum computers are poised to solve cryptographic puzzles that would take classical machines thousands of years. For security professionals, the threat isn’t merely speculative—many believe it's already begun. The emerging tactic, known as "harvest now, decrypt later," sees adversaries stockpiling encrypted communications today in hopes of exploiting quantum capabilities tomorrow.

Commvault’s answer is both timely and tactical. Building on its support since 2024 for NIST-recommended encryption standards like CRYSTALS-Kyber and FALCON, the company is now incorporating HQC—an algorithm designed to resist quantum-based attacks using error-correcting code. This marks a critical step in future-proofing sensitive data for customers in sectors like government, finance, and healthcare.

“The quantum threat isn’t theoretical,” said Bill O’Connell, Chief Security Officer at Commvault. “By integrating new algorithms like HQC and advancing our crypto-agility framework, we are providing our customers with the tools to navigate this complex landscape with confidence.”

Crypto-Agility, Simplified

Commvault’s expanded platform makes quantum defense more accessible than ever. The company’s crypto-agility framework—essentially a modular, plug-and-play approach to evolving encryption protocols—lets users adapt to cryptographic shifts without a full-scale system overhaul. Customers can now activate quantum-resistant algorithms through a straightforward interface, often as easy as checking a box.

The platform’s Risk Analysis tool enhances this adaptability by identifying where sensitive, long-duration data is stored, helping organizations prioritize what needs extra protection from future decryption threats.

Industry Response: Urgency Meets Implementation

Phil Goodwin, Research VP at IDC, echoed the urgency: “Quantum readiness has become a business imperative, particularly for industries which handle data that remains sensitive for decades. Commvault’s early adoption of quantum-resistant cryptography and commitment to crypto-agility positions it at the forefront among data protection software vendors in proactively addressing quantum threats.”

Jeff Day, Deputy CISO at the Nevada Department of Transportation, underscored the practical impact: “Commvault has been an invaluable partner in our journey to enhance cyber resilience…exactly what we need to meet stringent government security mandates and protect highly sensitive information from emerging quantum threats.”

The Road Ahead

According to a recent ISACA poll, nearly two-thirds of cybersecurity professionals believe quantum computing will reshape the risk landscape, and half anticipate new compliance burdens. As global investments in quantum tech accelerate, the timeline for its impact shortens.

Commvault’s message is clear: the time to build defenses is now. Its investment in quantum-resilient cryptography is a rare combination of foresight and pragmatism in a sector that can ill afford to wait for quantum computing’s full arrival.

Because in the world of cyber resilience, the threats of tomorrow are already being downloaded today.