Just wrapped up two electrifying days in Dallas, diving headfirst into the quantum revolution that’s reshaping cybersecurity as we know it. On November 13th, I attended AT&T’s 2025 Secure Connections event, followed by the Tech Titans Quantum Technology Forum Luncheon on the 14th.
These gatherings weren’t just conferences—they were wake-up calls for businesses, governments, and innovators to gear up against the looming “Y2Q” (Year to Quantum) threat. Imagine quantum computers wielding Shor’s algorithm like a digital sledgehammer, shattering classical encryption and exposing financial systems, enterprises, and national security to bad actors.
Are we ready? Spoiler: The clock is ticking, but Texas is leading the charge!
Day 1: Quantum Insights at AT&T’s Secure Connections.
Kicking off at the AT&T event, I had the privilege of rubbing shoulders with some of the brightest minds in cryptography and quantum security. Conversations flowed with Dr. Sridhar Muppidi, IBM Fellow and CTO for IBM Security; William (Bill) Trost, Quantum Lead for Cybersecurity at AT&T; Prof. Roman Yampolskiy, renowned AI safety expert from the University of Louisville; and Kirk Bresniker, Chief Architect at Hewlett Packard Labs and HPE Fellow/VP.
Our discussions zeroed in on the urgent need to educate and empower organizations against Y2Q. We explored how quantum computers could “harvest now, decrypt later,” stockpiling encrypted data today to crack it tomorrow. The NIST’s pivotal role in standardizing Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) was front and center—replacing vulnerable classical encryptions like RSA with quantum-resistant algorithms to fortify financial, economic, and enterprise defenses.
Bill Trost shared AT&T’s cutting-edge strategies for quantum-safe networks, while Prof. Yampolskiy highlighted AI’s intersection with quantum risks. Kirk Bresniker from HPE emphasized hardware innovations to support PQC transitions. These exchanges left me buzzing: The future of secure connections isn’t just theoretical—it’s actionable now!
Day 2: PQC in the Spotlight at Tech Titans
The momentum carried into the Tech Titans Luncheon, moderated by Mike Thompson and opened by Rashmi Varma. This forum focused on PQC’s role in securing American enterprises and the collaborative push by state and federal governments to ensure uninterrupted cybersecurity. It’s about protecting freedom, security, and prosperity—not just for Americans, but for the world.The highlight? Texas State Senator Tan Parker’s passionate keynote on the Texas Quantum Initiative. Signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott via HB 4751 (and related bills such as SB 2827), this groundbreaking program unites academia, government, and business to develop cybersecurity solutions and build a quantum-ready workforce. Senator Parker painted a vivid picture of Texas as a national leader, fostering education outreach to businesses and preparing our talent pipeline for quantum challenges.
Prof. Mitchell Thornton from Southern Methodist University (SMU) delivered a masterclass on Cryptography 101, unpacking the Y2Q threats with clarity and urgency. Then, David Wiese, Sr. Director of SLED and Business Development at IonQ, showcased IonQ’s outreach to academia and businesses, demonstrating how quantum tech can be harnessed for good while mitigating risks.
The Big Question: Are We Prepared?
These events underscored a critical truth: Y2Q isn’t a distant sci-fi plot—it’s on the horizon. As quantum computers advance rapidly, adversaries’ “harvest now, decrypt later(HNDL)” strategy could unravel our digital world. But here’s the exciting part: Solutions like NIST-backed PQC offer a path forward. Texas’s Quantum Initiative is a blueprint for nationwide action, blending policy, innovation, and education to create resilient systems
.As leaders in business and government, we must ask: Are our agencies and enterprises crypto-agile?
Are we investing in PQC migrations, workforce training, and public-private partnerships?
The time to act is now—before quantum breaks the code.
What are your thoughts on Y2Q readiness?
Have you started implementing PQC in your organization?
Let’s connect and discuss—drop a comment below!
#QuantumComputing #PQC #Cybersecurity #Y2Q #TexasQuantumInitiative #TechTitans #ATT #Innovation #AI #NIST
Srini Katta with Marc Raibert Executive Director & Founder, RAI Institute & Boston Dynamics