Abstract
As governments and regulators accelerate PQC adoption timelines, the urgency for organizations to act has never been greater. In this episode of Shielded: The Last Line of Cyber Defense, host Jo Lintzen speaks with Kevin Hilscher, Senior Director of Product Management at DigiCert, to explore the practical first steps of post-quantum cryptography adoption. They discuss why upgrading to TLS 1.3 is a non-negotiable starting point, how discovery of crypto assets lays the groundwork for any migration, and what enterprises should know about hybrid cryptography and its competing standards. From fragmented global regulations to aggressive timelines and the looming challenges of vendor readiness, Kevin provides a candid, real-world perspective on how organizations can build a quantum-ready roadmap before regulatory deadlines and quantum breakthroughs arrive.
What You’ll Learn
- Why TLS 1.3 is the non-negotiable first step for PQC readiness
- How to approach crypto asset discovery across software, hardware, and vendors
- The difference between hybrid key exchange vs. hybrid certificates (and why it matters)
- Why regulatory timelines (EU 2030, CNSA 2027) may be more ambitious than reality
- The challenge of fragmented algorithms across geographies and what it means for interoperability
- How Falcon (FNDSA) could benefit resource-constrained IoT devices
- Where vendors are leading (crypto SDKs) vs. lagging (enterprise apps and infrastructure)
- Kevin’s advice for CISOs: why awareness, discovery, and vendor engagement must start now
Kevin Hilscher is Senior Director of Product Management at DigiCert, where he leads the device trust product team and oversees PQC readiness across the company’s portfolio. With a background at Microsoft and deep experience working with OEMs, banks, healthcare providers, and defense organizations, Kevin has been at the forefront of preparing enterprises for the quantum era. His focus spans securing connected devices, enabling regulatory compliance, and helping global customers prepare for the transition to PQC. Known for his pragmatic approach, Kevin bridges the gap between evolving cryptographic standards and real-world business needs, helping organizations take the first steps toward a secure, quantum-ready future.
With the shift to post-quantum cryptography accelerating, Kevin’s message is clear: early discovery and TLS 1.3 readiness, not just new algorithms, will define the path to a quantum-ready future.
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