Abstract
Quantum computing is coming faster than most organizations are ready for. In this episode of Shielded: The Last Line of Cyber Defense, Kevin Reifsteck, Director for Critical Infrastructure Protection at Microsoft, joins Jo Lintzen to unpack how Microsoft is building a coordinated roadmap toward quantum-safe security and why governments and enterprises must start acting now. Kevin explains how Microsoft’s Quantum Safe Program connects engineering, compliance, and policy under one strategy, with a clear commitment to deliver customer-ready capabilities by 2029 and complete the global transition by 2033. He shares how this plan balances scale with flexibility, empowering each product group to define its path while keeping the company aligned to a shared goal. He outlines why post-quantum migration must move beyond “code swaps” to address real-world complexities like data-center encryption, operational technology that runs for decades, and global interoperability. Kevin also highlights the role of government action, appointing accountable leaders, aligning regulations across borders, and prioritizing sectors such as healthcare and finance where long-term data protection is critical.
What You’ll Learn
- How Microsoft’s Quantum Safe Program sets 2029 and 2033 milestones for migration readiness.
- Why accountability and leadership drive progress more than technology alone.
- How to identify and protect systems and data with long-term exposure risk.
- Why global alignment through NIST, ISO, and IETF matters for interoperability.
- How governments can accelerate national readiness through coordinated action.
- Why post-quantum migration must include hardware, policy, and operations – not just software updates.
Practical first steps for organizations to begin their own quantum-safe transition today.
Kevin Reifsteck is the Director for Critical Infrastructure Protection at Microsoft, where he leads global strategy across cybersecurity policy, quantum-safe readiness, and public–private sector collaboration. His work bridges engineering and regulation, helping Microsoft’s product teams align with evolving post-quantum cryptography standards while advising governments on how to prioritize critical systems and national resilience. Before joining Microsoft, Kevin served as Director for Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity at the National Security Council, The White House, where he shaped U.S. policy for securing essential services and modernizing cyber risk management. Today, Kevin plays a central role in driving Microsoft’s Quantum Safe Program, which sets clear timelines for transitioning products and services to post-quantum cryptography and helping customers worldwide prepare for the quantum era. Known for his strategic clarity and cross-sector insight, he continues to champion global alignment, government readiness, and responsible innovation in securing the foundations of the digital world.
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