Quantum-safe migration is the planned replacement of cryptographic systems that could be vulnerable to future quantum attacks with alternatives designed to resist them. It commonly involves adopting post-quantum cryptography, while checking that applications, protocols, certificates, and devices remain compatible.
In cybersecurity, migration matters because cryptography can be embedded across many systems, and replacing it may take years. Defenders begin with cryptographic discovery: inventorying where algorithms and keys are used, then prioritizing systems by exposure, data lifetime, and difficulty of updating. In critical infrastructure and legacy operational technology, changes may require careful testing, vendor coordination, and staged deployment to protect availability and safety. The goal is to reduce future risk before a capable quantum computer threatens existing cryptography—not to suggest that current encryption has already been broken.