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# Post-Quantum Cryptography: Preparing for Q-Day


- **Date:** Thursday, Jul 9, 2026
- **Time:** 17:30–18:00 (30 min)
- **Room:** Stage 10 - powered by TikTok
- **Event:** World Congress 2026 Europe

## Recording

[Watch recording](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100179-post-quantum-cryptography-preparing-for-q-day)

## Description

Quantum computers pose a real threat to many cryptographic systems today. Algorithms such as RSA and ECC may eventually be broken within a short amount of time — a scenario often referred to as “Q-Day.”

However, there is no need for panic. With post-quantum cryptography (PQC), standardized and quantum-resistant algorithms are already emerging. In particular, algorithms like CRYSTALS-Kyber, which are part of the latest NIST standards, are increasingly being adopted in browsers, servers, and modern protocols such as TLS and QUIC.

In this talk, I provide an accessible introduction to the foundations of quantum mechanics relevant to cryptography and explain why quantum computers threaten classical cryptographic algorithms. We take a deeper look at what Q-Day actually means in practice and how organizations can start preparing today.

Beyond the fundamentals, the talk offers a deeper technical insight into lattice-based cryptography, including the mathematical principles behind CRYSTALS-Kyber and other modern post-quantum algorithms. Using hands-on examples with OpenSSL, NGINX, and hybrid TLS configurations, I demonstrate how existing web applications can be gradually adapted for the post-quantum era.

## Speaker

### [Tim Schade](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/@tim-schade)

Software Architect at GFT Technologies


## Related talks at this congress

- [Quantum Computing - How Does It Work, How Will it Affect Us and When?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/events/world-congress-2026-europe/sessions/1326-quantum-computing) — John Fletcher, Lorenzo Petricone
- [From CPUs to QPUs: A Software Engineer’s Guide to Quantum Computing](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/events/world-congress-2026-europe/sessions/988-from-cpus-to-qpus-a) — André Alves
- [Simple, Clean, Intuitive, and Qrisp: Quantum Linear Algebra for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/events/world-congress-2026-europe/sessions/1017-simple-clean) — Matic Petrič
- [Cryptographic agility for a post-quantum future: Falcon signatures in TypeScript](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/events/world-congress-2026-europe/sessions/1101-cryptographic) — Andrew Funk