Join the ACT-IAC Cybersecurity Community of Interest on August 13, 2026, from 6:00–7:00 p.m. ET for our Cybersecurity COI Member Meeting featuring guest speaker Dan Waddell, Partner in the IBM Federal Cybersecurity Service line. This is a hybrid meeting. Details provided upon registration.
Title: Mission Ready for Quantum: Operationalizing Post-Quantum Cryptography Across Federal Systems
Quantum computing is no longer a distant research problem — it is a near-term national security risk. Adversaries are already harvesting encrypted federal data today with the expectation that tomorrow's quantum capabilities will render current cryptography obsolete. For agencies responsible for protecting mission systems, classified environments, and critical infrastructure, the question is no longer if to adopt post-quantum cryptography (PQC), but how to operationalize it at scale without disrupting the mission.
This session moves beyond theory to execution. Dan will share IBM's point of view on the current landscape of quantum computing, along with roadmaps that illustrate the threat of a cryptographically relevant quantum computer. Dan will also share IBM's practical, field-tested approach for transitioning federal environments to quantum-resistant encryption using crypto agility, asset discovery, and phased migration strategies aligned with NIST standards and federal mandates including the recent White House Executive Order and OMB M-26-15.
The quantum clock is ticking. Mission readiness starts now.
Speaker Bio
Dan Waddell is a Partner in the IBM Federal Cybersecurity Service line. One of his primary duties is leading the IBM Federal growth strategy for Post Quantum Computing (PQC) and IBM's offering to address the PQC threat, Quantum Safe. Dan has over 30 years of experience in IT and cybersecurity, with the majority of his time spent supporting the U.S. Federal government.
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WWT
Washington, DC 20004
United States